Manchester City have scouted some of the top talented players from across the globe over the years. In 2020, the English team competed with Barcelona for Brazilian right-back, Yan Couto. The 21-year-old came to Manchester but was loaned out immediately in his first season. Couto went to Girona on a loan spell in the 2020-21 season. The team played in Spain’s second division at that time. He was loaned out to Portuguese club Braga in the 2021-22 season. Girona once again signed him on a loan deal last season and the player is currently in his third loan spell at the Spanish club.
Girona have surprised everyone with their performances in the LaLiga this season. They led the league at one moment and some of the players have caught the eye of many. Yan Couto is at the top of his game and his performances have been one to watch. Manchester City currently have probably the best right-backs in the world. However, he is getting old and will likely be replaced by Manchester City in the next few years. Couto is showing signs of promise and here is a look at his stats that show why this Brazilian could become the replacement for Kyle Walker.
Competing among the elites
The above pizza chart shows the percentile rank of Yan Couto in comparison to other right-backs in Tier 1 of league football. Couto is quite highly ranked in the attacking department. A side like Manchester City needs an attacking full-back, making Cuoto an asset for the future.
Yan Couto is always available for Girona down the right flank. He likes to get involved in the attack and likes to stretch the opposition defence with his runs. The touch map of the full-back shows how he has made full use of the width of the field and how this has allowed him to penetrate the opposition penalty box on occasions.
In the current season, this attacking full-back averages 2.7 touches inside the opposition penalty box per 90 minutes. These touches have allowed him to get into good scoring positions and this also helps the team to get more involved in the attack.
The progressive runs have allowed this full-back to stretch the defence and get into positions from where he can cross the ball. His average is 4.6 progressive runs per 90 minutes and the dribble success rate is 53%.
Girona are dependent on their young full-back to deliver passes into the opposition penalty box. His ability to stretch the defence and get into attacking positions in the final third has allowed him to attempt 5.77 passes to the opposition penalty box. In the current season, he has provided three assists and all these passes were provided from a similar kind of position.
Getting into attacking areas has allowed the full-back to make high recoveries. These recoveries allow the team to keep their attacking momentum. For a team like Manchester City, a full-back like Couto will be a big asset.
Manchester City will need to replace a couple of players in the future and Couto is looking like a good replacement for Kyle Walker. City might even earn some money by selling the player. As of now, Couto is eyeing to take Girona to Europe.
Visuals via TFA data viz engine
