Matias Soule has had an eventful season so far. It appeared that his path to the 1st team was difficult not because he lacked talent or Max Allegri didn’t find him useful, but because without any European competition, Soule was let go to build a team to compete for a league title. However, Juve recognized Soule’s worth and decided to loan him out to provide him with top-flight experience. This decision has resulted in Soule’s best season yet in his blossoming career.
The Eye Test: Describing Matias Soule’s Profile
Vid 1: Matias Soule snippet this season (Courtesy of YT: Brazil Scout)
Matias Soule is having a phenomenal season which is pretty much known and you can’t hide your surprise at the fact that his game represents the closest to you can see Angel Di Maria in his best days, who mentored him at Juventus. Frosinone play a 4-2-3-1/4-4-2 hybrid in general where usually you see Soule pretty much operate in a free role either from the right to drift inwards or from a 10 where he can go either onto the left or right to assist teammates.
Depending on which areas teams could be weak 1v1, Frosinone coach Di Fransesco usually deploys Soule onto that side to make difference and put his teammates through. Hence why it’s almost so unbelievable that Soule plays very well adept on either flank. His technique and frame that can get through short spaces helps a lot while still maintaining considerable upper body strength meaning unless you foul him hard on the ball, it’s not easy to dispossess him cleanly.
Also read: Enyimba In Pole Position To Secure Akwa United Star Uche Collins
Profiling Matias Soule with Some Data and Numbers: The other side of Soule
Pic 1 and 2: A sample of Soule’s performances this season
Soule’s performance against Bologna this season, should be said one of his most complete performances of his short but potential career. If you look closely at Pic 1, he covered the entire right flank in a performance where he provided numerous box entries either with his passes or carries. In the 2nd Pitch, you can see the defensive actions he put in, showcasing a knack for off ball activity and ensure he helps either his Fullback or midfielders OOP (out of possession).
This of course has to take into account coach Di Franseco’s usual penchant for a more expansive approach both in and out of possession. But what’s more important is Soule’s skillset is good enough that provided room for freedom to express in possession, Soule offers the complete package and that’s best summarized in Pic 2 as well, showcasing his performances against other teams this season.
Pic 3: Soule’s Performance Radar this season
As we dwell on the core Performance metrics you’d take for any attacking forward, Soule’s numbers come up high, but here the understanding should be that his progressive actions far make up more than what the actual output in terms of G/A may come to fruition. To put in simple words, Soule despite being outright Frosinone’s top scorer, is far more important as the one who makes progressive plays than just someone who scores because of his actions in final 3rd. If Matias Soule isn’t there, Frosinone’s ball progression drops, which means their ability to create any chances drops too. If Soule had any interesting strike partner to finish, Frosinone’s goals would double up.
Also read: Nigeria’s Sports Minister Encourages Super Eagles To Stay Focused For AFCON Clash
Conclusion: Charting Soule’s Future prospects
As mentioned in the beginning, Soule’s loan just didn’t spring out because he deserved more game time, as Juve had no European competition to play in. Soule’s Profile doesn’t chart out what w.r.t. what Juve plays and though his technique might find a place in some other position that he might need to train in more in a 3-5-2/3-4-1-2 system, Soule represents a proper cash cow after what’s he’s done at Frosinone.
But any assumptions now are pretty useless, because teams aren’t built usually to be too rigid for a particular system and Soule having a solid time on his current deal means this loan to Frosinone has boosted his future 1st team consideration at the top level but nothing concrete yet.
