Crewe Alexandra’s defeat in the League Two playoff final will almost certainly bring an end to 23-year-old Left Back, Rio Adebisi’s time at the club with the homegrown talent destined for a move higher up the English pyramid.
Adebisi, who has been offered a new contract with Crewe where his current deal is about to expire, is approximately 5ft9, strongest on his left foot but capable on his right also. In terms of physicality, Adebisi has an average build and moderate strength. In one v one battles he will position himself slightly off his opponent to give himself the best possibility of success as he can get out-muscled when getting touch tight. Because of his size, winning aerial duels isn’t one of his strengths. Adebisi has wonderful balance, agility, pace and acceleration. His physical attributes in this area alongside good starting positions and reading of the game helps him to win possession through interceptions, recoveries and well timed tackles.
Adebisi can play on the right side of defence in moments of need and has the technical capabilities to play advanced on the left or inverted from the right but he excels in an attacking left full back or wing back role. Adebisi is truly at his best when given licence to form part of the attack. He has the ability to both overlap and underlap when coming forward which means he can threaten in a multitude of ways. His greatest weapon is his crossing ability – with his left foot he can deliver highly dangerous balls into the box, either whilst on the run or from a standing start. His ball striking ability in this regard is also evident from set pieces, especially in-swinging corners or free kicks from the right. Adebisi has good, tight control and footwork in small spaces which comes in handy when he underlaps meaning he is capable of spinning and keeping possession when defenders close off the spaces he is attacking. His close control coupled with his pace equates to Adebisi being a fine dribbler and he’ll often use these weapons to run at and commit his opponent. Adebisi has the ability to pick up open play goals from this attacking full back role too, when the ball is on the opposite flank he will attack the box at the far post. His attacking threat is evidenced with four goals and six assists in the league across the 2023/24 season.
Adebisi made his Crewe debut in the 2019/20 season and his minutes have increased season by season since. He has matured into a key player, a leader and an example to other Crewe academy graduates. In terms of his future, Adebisi should be top on the list of any ambitious League One clubs that have a need for an attacking left sided player. Peterborough would make sense as a Harrison Burrows contingency, Bolton would make sense with their preference of attacking wing-backs on each flank. Barnsley would also feel like a good fit. I also think mid-range Championship clubs should have Adebisi under consideration.
Target Scouting 