After writing a player report in May 2022, a lot has changed for Monagas’s David Martinez. He has competed in both the under 17 and under 20 Sudamericano and led the under 17’s to World Cup qualification. The young Venezuelan also gained more experience in Liga FUTVE, already playing 38 matches for Monagas. Today, it was announced by the very reliable Mario Alberto Sanchez on Twitter that David Martínez is on the verge of joining AFC Ajax when he turns 18. In other words, it’s the ideal time to write an updated scout report about David Martinez.
Standing at 1.78 meters with an average build in his upper body and muscular legs, David Martinez displays decent physical strength in duels with his back towards the goal. He has a very good build for a winger. David Martinez has elite acceleration and speed over long distances. He easily creates separation from his marker displaying his excellent bursts of speed. Martinez has good changes of directions and can turn sharply with the ball on his feet. He occasionally can be too passive in duels but often does well to draw fouls. Martinez has increased his stamina a lot in the past 18 months, now being able to play the full 90 minutes with good intensity.
His technical excellence is what stands out when you watch Martinez. David Martínez has an outstanding, but sometimes a bit inconsistent, left foot. The winger is very creative on the ball and displays quick and good decision-making under pressure, being capable of finding and exploiting space in behind with his excellent through passing. The young Venezuelan is excellent in attacking 1v1s. Martínez has very good timing and constantly manages to dribble past his opponents. He displays excellent close control while dribbling and has a very good first touch, always trying to get forward and create a chance. His passing and crossing technique with his left foot is excellent, but as mentioned before he can still be a bit inconsistent at his young age, which is understandable. David Martínez has the potential to become the creative outlet for most teams in the world. Martínez is quite one-footed.
David Martínez has played as an attacking midfielder, left-winger and right-winger before. He is a very versatile player but I think he would fit in well at right-wing for Jong Ajax in the 2024/2025 season, where he’d get more freedom to make mistakes and be creative. He is a very smart player in and out of possession, always trying to move in space. Defensively, Martínez could play at a higher intensity and he needs to become more mature. He sometimes fails to track back or cut passing lanes. Martínez would also need to improve his pressing ability at (Jong) Ajax, but I don’t see it as a big problem.
David Martínez is Venezuela’s biggest talent and it is very exciting to see him at AFC Ajax next summer, if everything goes through. He has the potential to become a first-team starter and outgrow Ajax. Martínez is a very creative right-winger with great speed and technique. He needs to improve his weaker right foot and defensive contribution.