Gabriel Wesseh is a 17-year-old, left-footed attacking midfielder regarded as one of the elite prospects in Atlanta United’s academy. He has already contributed three goals and two assists in 14 MLS Next Pro appearances for the second team. At Atlanta, Wesseh is given a free role within a 3-4-3 system, starting from the right half space but frequently roaming across the pitch. He looks to receive between the lines and create, using his technical ability and flair to make things happen for his team.
Physically, Wesseh stands at an average height of 5’9’’ (175 cm). He is a fluent mover who covers ground smoothly, with a lean frame complemented by solid muscularity in his lower body. These characteristics, combined with his low center of gravity, provide him with excellent acceleration, agility and balance. While these traits should enable him to hold his own in duels, he remains inconsistent in engaging his body effectively, both in ground challenges and aerial contests.
Wesseh is a very promising yet inconsistent dribbler who frequently looks to take on defenders and make something happen. He carries a menacing aura, often luring opponents into challenges before skipping past them with sharp changes of direction that frequently draw fouls. On the ball, he oozes confidence and flair, often making it look effortless to beat his man thanks to his composure, strong balance, and skill. At times, however, Wesseh can become overconfident, attempting impossible dribbles when outnumbered, overusing stepovers, or simply being too casual, which leads to cheap turnovers. These lapses stem more from concentration and decision-making than from any technical deficiency. What makes his dribbling especially dangerous is his ambidexterity in these situations. He does not hesitate to shoot, play a cutback, or slip in a through ball with his weaker right foot, adding unpredictability to the direction of his dribbles and keeping defenders constantly guessing and on edge.
What makes Wesseh such a promising asset is his rare ability to combine dribbling skill with the composure to pick out a teammate after beating his marker in dangerous areas. From deeper positions, he shows creativity, keeping his head up and playing well-weighted through balls to advancing runners. His shot selection can be opportunistic, often attempting efforts from difficult angles. With his proficient left foot, he is the main set-piece taker, striking the ball with solid technique. Ball retention remains a key area for improvement, as he can sometimes wriggle out of tight situations, but at other times is easily dispossessed due to poor use of his body, a clumsy first touch, or risky decision-making.
Out of possession, at Atalanta he is not tasked with extensive defensive duties like tracking back deep or pressing high, as the team mostly operates in a compact middle/low block. When he does engage in pressing, he lacks urgency, proactiveness, and the willingness to close down space aggressively. He also struggles in defensive duels, often failing to engage his body and getting outplayed too easily. However, with proper coaching and a tactical setup that emphasizes these aspects, his physical attributes suggest significant potential for improvement in this area.
Projecting his future role, Wesseh appears best suited as a winger or in the right pocket behind the striker in a possession-based side. In this role, he can add verticality, make runs in behind, and inject unpredictability and creativity through his dribbles. Currently, he lacks the consistency in ball retention and elite off-the-ball movement to serve as the team’s primary playmaker and creative outlet.
Target Scouting 