Juho Talvitie is a 19-year-old left-footed forward currently on loan at Heracles Almelo from Lommel. He spent two seasons playing in the second tier of Belgian football with Lommel before making a handful of appearances in the Belgian top flight. This season, he is showcasing his talents in the Eredivisie for Heracles. Additionally, Talvitie represents Finland’s U21 team, having also featured at various youth levels. He has scored two goals in 20 Eredivisie appearances this season and has also netted twice in the European Championship qualifiers for Finland U21, playing a crucial role in securing Finland’s place in the U21 Euros. Moreover, Talvitie has already made his debut for the Finnish senior national team.
Standing at 1.77 meters, Talvitie possesses impressive physical strength despite his average build. He is difficult to dispossess and effectively uses his shoulders in duels to maintain balance. While not the fastest player, he certainly isn’t slow. His acceleration is particularly dangerous, and he controls the ball exceptionally well at high speeds, often appearing as if the ball is glued to his feet. His stamina is solid, and although he does not frequently engage in aerial duels, he is capable when necessary.
At Heracles, Talvitie often plays as a right midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 formation, either starting or coming on as a substitute. He prefers not to position himself too high up the pitch and enjoys overlapping with the right-back. When the right-back pushes forward, Talvitie often drops deeper into midfield to receive the ball before advancing through dribbles, switching play, or executing quick one-twos with his fullback. During corners and set-pieces, he tends to position himself on the edge of the penalty area rather than inside the box—a trait observed both at Heracles and in the Finnish national setup. For Finland U21, he plays a slightly different role, operating as a left-sided forward in a 3-5-2 or 5-3-2 formation. However, he appears to be more dangerous when deployed as a right winger.
Talvitie’s one-on-one ability is particularly strong. His La Croqueta move is well-drilled and highly effective. With quick cuts and tight ball control, he often finds a way past his opponents. His first touch is technically refined, and his through passes are sharp and intelligent. His quick link-up play in deeper areas is also valuable. However, his crossing ability, something he does not utilize frequently, has room for improvement, as he sometimes struggles to find a teammate precisely enough. While he has not registered many assists this season, this is a statistic that could improve given his strong left foot and keen vision for spotting teammates. His build-up play is often excellent, but at times he holds onto the ball for too long or attracts too many defenders, leading to unnecessary turnovers. Talvitie possesses a fantastic shot, particularly his low-driven efforts, which are highly precise and a key source of his goals. However, his higher shots often lack control and accuracy.
Defensively, Talvitie fulfills his responsibilities well. He is not easily beaten in one-on-one defensive situations, but his transition play can sometimes be slow and passive. Additionally, adding more aggression in duels could elevate his defensive contributions further, as he occasionally allows his opponent too much space.
Overall, Talvitie is an exceptionally talented player who has made a strong impression in the Eredivisie this season while also proving his worth for Finland U21. However, his end product, decision-making, and play in the final third require improvement. If he can refine these aspects of his game, I think he has the potential to move to a bigger Eredivisie club or join a mid-tier team in Germany.
Target Scouting 