Michael Bermúdez is a 17-year-old striker who plays for Liga de Quito. He predominantly played for Liga de Quito U-19, but also played some matches for the U-17’s. He won the league title with Liga de Quito U-17. Bermúdez was also Ecuador’s top goal scorer at the U-17 Sudamericano and U-17 World Cup.
Standing at around 1.76m with a very slim build, Michael Bermúdez is slightly physically underdeveloped. The Ecuadorian striker uses his body efficiently in physical duels but still needs to bulk up. Bermúdez has exceptional speed over short distances and is also quick over long distances. He is agile and turns really quickly thanks to his low centre of gravity and balance. He has inconsistent timing in aerial duels but his jumping reach is good.
Michael Bermúdez has experience playing as a winger, second striker and striker, but I prefer him as a striker. The striker has a good first touch, controlling the ball really well even if he is being put under pressure. Bermúdez sporadically turns the wrong way. He is comfortable playing one-touch football in small spaces and likes to play quick, short combinations. Bermúdez’s long passing can be more consistent even though he displays good technique. He is a right-footed striker and has a functional left foot. The striker is at his best making runs in behind and finding space in the box. His finishing at the U-17 World Cup was average, but he generally has good finishing ability. The fact he gets into scoring position so easily tells a lot about Bermúdez’s off-the-ball movement. His ball-carrying is decent and his 1v1 dribbling ability is good, displaying a very good burst and using quick feints to put the opponent on the wrong foot. Bermúdez displays great composure in the final third, often making the right decision. His ball-striking from range is very good. He could improve his heading ability.
Leading the line for Ecuador U-17 and Liga de Quito, Bermúdez displays decent pressing ability, also using his explosive acceleration to close down gaps and opponents quickly. Being the captain of Ecuador U-17, it displays Bermúdez’s leadership skills and mental ability.
My expectation for 2024 is that Michael Bermúdez makes his first-team debut for Liga de Quito, although I am very curious to see how he holds his own physically against senior-level opponents. I’m getting more and more concerned about his physical ability. However, he has an excellent technical, tactical and mental profile, still making him an interesting target for many clubs in Belgium but also the MLS and Brazil. I still think Michael Bermúdez has the potential to play for decent-level teams in the top 5 leagues, but he needs to work a lot on his physical ability if he wants to fulfill his potential.
Target Scouting 