Ratings
- A1 – Very good, could play higher
- A2 – Strong potential to play higher
- B1 – Good, strong player at level
- B2 – Potential to be strong player at level
- C – Average for the level, rewatch
- D – Below average, don’t follow up
Mohammed Salisu
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Ghanian
- Age: 21
- Date of birth:
- Current Club: Real Valladolid
- Career: Real Valladolid
- Position: Centre Half
- Preferred foot: Left
Salisu had a strong defensive performance starting as the left centre half in Real Valladolid’s 4-4-2. Salisu is 6’3″ with a good frame, he wasn’t afraid to use his physicality and did well in the air when defending his box and covering long balls, as well as being a set piece threat. Despite his strong build, he showed decent footwork and a pretty good burst of pace over a few yards even if he doesn’t possess great overall speed and can be quite upright.
His side defended in a 4-4-2 mid to low block and he rarely pushed out of the defensive line. When he did, he quickly closed down the attacker receiving between the lines, getting extremely tight and using his body, forcing the player backwards. He scans constantly and showed good marking in the box and was very active in adjusting his positioning in defence. He read danger well and reacted well to the opposition attacks, showing good positioning and anticipation to made several blocks.
The left footed defender could have been used more in possession. His passing was fairly safe and basic, going back to his keeper when needed. He didn’t seem very decisive or progressive on the ball but was comfortable in possession and did well under pressure at times even if he did play it safe largely.
Rating: A1
This was only Salisu’s 4th game in senior football, after coming to Spain from Ghana the season before. He put in a strong defensive performance even if he showed his understandable inexperience at times and could have been more effective in possession.
But it will be good to watch some more recent matches to see how he has developed this season and have a better idea of what sort of player you’ll get if you pick him up this summer with his very low release clause.
Pedro Porro
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Spanish
- Age: 20
- Date of birth: 13/09/1999
- Current Club: Real Valladolid, on loan from Manchester City
- Career: Girona, Manchester City, Real Valladolid (L)
- Position: Right Back
- Preferred foot: Right
Porro was a standout performer for his technical ability and helped his side a lot by creating fast attacks and playing at a high tempo. With good ball control and pace, Porro looked to drive forward when he could and would quickly turn a loose ball situation into a counter attack.
The right back is listed as 5’8″ tall but looked taller I thought with a decent frame. He didn’t have much defending to do overall and was largely defending inside the box with solid positioning and pressed out when he needed to. He did well in challenges though with some decent aggression.
He showed a good short passing game, calm on the ball and able to pick small passing lanes and play out of pressure, as well as a great half-volleyed switch of play in the first half. His first touch was good, receiving the ball really well by taking progressive touches and opening his hips, looking to play forward. He received switches of play very well and dealt with pressure. He produced some very dangerous low whipped crosses that went between the keeper and retreating centre halves but I’d like to see some more variation.
Rating: A2
A promising performance from the young Spaniard. He’ll most likely be available for loan again next year so could be a good option for Premier League clubs looking for a right option to add competition at full back until he develops more to try and compete with the Manchester City squad, which he seems suited to.
Enes Ünal
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Turkish
- Age: 22
- Date of birth: 10/05/1997
- Current Club: Real Valladolid, on loan from Villareal
- Career: Bursaport (Y), Manchester City, Genk (L), NAC Breda (L), Twente (L), Villareal, Real Valladolid (L)
- Position: Striker
- Preferred foot: Right
The striker had a fairly quiet game. He was largely chasing scraps and being fed long balls. Despite his height, Ünal lacked aggression and wasn’t very effective in the air, not able to do much with the direct style of play into him. On the ball though, he showed a few bits of good hold-up play and ball control but wasn’t strong enough to compete due to his lightweight frame. He also produced an excellent cross, creating a big chance that his strike partner failed to connect with.
He grew into the game after not looking particularly interested to start but then began to work harder and added some aggression. But still showed his frustration at times due to lack of service. I thought he wasn’t very suited to this game and lacked the mental grit you need to have to chase scraps for 90 minutes. He had one shot which came from a cut back which he hit with decent power with his left but went just over the bar. His positioning in the box was decent but lacked explosive movement.
Rating: C
Fede San Emeterio
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Spanish
- Age: 23
- Date of birth: 16/03/1997
- Current Club: Real Valladolid
- Career: Racing Santander, Real Valladolid
- Position: Central Midfield
- Secondary Position: Defensive Midfield
- Preferred foot: Right
The Spanish midfielder had a quiet game overall, failing to impact it that much. He was slim and lacked physicality, getting bodied a few times by a physical opposition. He didn’t do much defensively and was quite passive and an ineffective presser in the middle third.
He often moved quite wide and linked with the left back and left winger but meant they had three players along the touchline and they struggled to progress the ball. He made some good underlapping runs though and tried to drive with the ball a few times but wasn’t very elegant on the ball. One underlap put him in a dangerous position wide of the box and cut it back to create a decent chance.
Rating: D