Tag Archives: Scout Report

Scouting Jofre Torrents: Streaming from Barcelona to Amsterdam – Ajax’s new left-back

August 17, 2026 Will Burns Leave a comment

Some of the money received for Mika Godts is being invested as Ajax’s summer rebuild has gained another intriguing addition with the arrival of Jofre Torrents. The 19‑year‑old, 6ft 1 inch left-back fashioned at Barcelona’s La Masia academy is widely regarded in Spain as one of the most technically refined full‑backs of his generation. Ajax have secured a player with pedigree, personality and significant long‑term upside. Let’s see what Ajax fans can expect from Torrents writes Will Burns.

Born in Tarragona in the heart of Catalonia in 2007 (yes that makes you feel old), Torrents joined Barcelona at the age of eleven and progressed through every level of the academy, eventually making his senior debut in August last year.

Barca recruited him from his local club, Reus in the same season that Pau Cubarsí joined the club’s youth setup. In the academy he has shared teams with Cubarsí, Lamine Yamal, Marc Bernal and Isaac Cuenca. Additionally, he has represented Spain at Under-15 up to Under-19 level.

The 2023–24 campaign was a nightmare for Torrents, who did not play a single match due to his knee problem. Yet his determination and positive attitude propelled him to new heights at the start of last season and the Juvenil A coaching staff at Barcelona managed his minutes carefully, and the results were exceptional. Juliano Belletti called him up for six matches, playing five and totalling 202 minutes, and his performances against Young Boys and Real Zaragoza especially, confirmed the academy’s belief in his potential. Alongside fellow left-back Pol Bernabéu, Torrents was considered the most promising left‑back in the academy.

Despite his talent, Torrents faced a familiar obstacle at Barcelona: a blocked path to the first team. With João Cancelo ahead of him, Spanish media note that his chances of regular senior football were slim and he has only made four full first team appearances last season.

STRENGTHS

Torrents is a modern full‑back who fits naturally into teams built on possession, clean build‑up play and aggressive positional structures, so he should fit right into Míchel Sánchez’s Ajax team. He reflects the classic Barça mould: technically sharp, comfortable under pressure, progressive with the ball and intelligent in the timing of his forward runs. His ability to create advantages in wide areas, combining effectively with midfielders and wingers to break lines.

Part of his technical quality, is his pace and the ability to escape pressure and his comfort receiving the ball in tight spaces. His energy, strength and agility allow him to advance down the flank and improve the quality of the passes he receives. Intelligent and versatile, he knows when to attack inside or outside, and one of his main strengths is reaching the byline with composure to deliver accurate crosses or cut‑backs.

He often plays like a midfielder in the build‑up phase, which aligns perfectly with Ajax’s positional structure. He times his overlaps well, carries the ball confidently and shows intelligence when combining inside or outside depending on the situation.

Years at La Masia have given him a strong understanding of spacing, pressing triggers and positional rotations, with reliable decision‑making and good discipline. His mentality also stands out. Over the years, even at 19 years old, he shows great professionalism and maturity, and how well he handled his injury setback, regained his form quickly and impressed coaches with his attitude. He is not yet a finished product, but stylistically he fits Ajax’s DNA perfectly. The environment, the Eredivisie, known for developing young players, should suit him.

WEAKNESSES

However, there are still areas of his game that require refinement. Torrents is stronger offensively than defensively, and he can be exposed in one‑on‑one situations. He could do with improving his physicality in duels and sharpen his defensive positioning, especially during transitions, where his advanced role can leave space behind him. He stands out for his physical presence and ability to recover the ball and although his aerial play is not his strongest asset, on the floor, for any winger, getting past him is a difficult task.

Like mentioned earlier, he has limited senior experience, with less than a handful of first‑team appearances for Barcelona, meaning Ajax fans should expect a natural learning curve as he adapts to a more demanding schedule. None of these weaknesses are unusual for a 19‑year‑old, and Ajax’s coaching environment is ideal for evolving him.

SO THIS IS A GOOD MOVE FOR HIM, YEAH?

Ajax’s style under Míchel Sánchez emphasises high possession, aggressive full‑back involvement, fluid positional play and building from the back with technically capable defenders. He is likely to compete for immediate minutes, especially with Ajax reshaping their squad and seeking more dynamism on the flanks. Supporters can expect him to act as a ball‑progressor, overlap aggressively when Ajax dominate the possession, combine frequently with the left-side of attack with Oliver Edvardsen and Abdellah Ouazane, now that Godts is gone. He will provide width when wingers drift inside and offer creativity in the final third.

Many experts in Spain viewed Torrents as a high‑ceiling player whose technical foundation is already elite. Ajax fans can expect a confident, technically gifted youngster who will be heavily involved in build‑up and attacking phases, a player who naturally fits the club’s philosophy and a prospect who should grow rapidly with regular minutes. He may not dominate defensively from the outset, but his offensive qualities, intelligence and La Masia schooling make him one of the most exciting young full‑backs Ajax have signed in recent years. In securing Torrents, Ajax have not just bought a player — they have invested in a project with the potential to become a standout in European football.

WHY HAVE BARCA LET HIM GO?

Well yes, he has departed Barcelona but not without a future plan to get him back. His departure was not a reflection of performance, as he was one of the standout players for Barça Atlètic (Barcelona’s B team) last season in the Spanish fourth tier, even after a mid‑season injury interrupted his rhythm. Ajax, with Jordi Cruyff guiding recruitment, identified him early as a natural fit for their footballing identity. Barca accepted a fee in the region of €5–6 million if Jofre meets certain performance based bonuses, but the club crucially retained 50 percent of a future sale and inserted a buy‑back clause, a clear sign they still believe in his long‑term potential. So one day, it’s likely, Torrents will be back in the traditional blaugrana colors but for now, get ready to see him fly down that left flank at the Johan Cruyff ArenA.

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TotalDutchFootball.com

SCOUTING

Scouting Kodai Sano: PSV’s new midfield dynamo

August 6, 2026 Will Burns Leave a comment

PSV’s latest signing, Kodai Sano, arrives from NEC Nijmegen with a reputation as one of Japan’s most technically gifted central midfielders. At just 5ft 9 inches tall, he may not fit the archetype of a physically imposing player, but his dynamism, intelligence, and technical precision make him a standout modern midfielder writes Will Burns.

When Sano was turning out for Fagiano Okayama in Japan’s second tier back in July 2023, few would have predicted his rapid rise. That was when NEC spotted his potential, and within three seasons in the Netherlands, he has evolved from a promising prospect into one of the division’s most complete midfielders.

Five years ago, a player of his profile — small, slight, and seemingly easy to knock off the ball — might have been overlooked by scouts. Yet modern football values dynamism and intelligence, and Sano embodies both.

PHYSICAL

Standing at 176 cm, Sano possesses a lean, athletic frame. While he lacks raw physical strength and can be eased off the ball, he compensates with excellent mobility, sharp acceleration, and the agility to skip past challenges. His quick feet allow him to retain possession in tight areas, and he rarely engages in aerial duels, preferring to dominate ground duels through speed, anticipation, and technique.

DEFENSIVE

Sano defends with real intent. He closes opponents down aggressively, blocks passing lanes, and forces rushed decisions. Although he isn’t dominant in shoulder‑to‑shoulder duels, his persistence makes him a constant disruptor.

He willingly tracks runners deep into his own defensive third and regularly drops in to support his full‑back. As a No. 8, he frequently intercepts passes through midfield, breaks up play, and immediately looks to launch counterattacks.

His defensive output is elite:

Most recoveries per game among Eredivisie midfielders (6.6)
Second in successful tackles (4.82)
Tackle success rate: 80%, outperforming 83% of midfielders in the league

Despite lacking size, he tackles with tenacity and never shies away from contact. His aggression and willingness to engage compensate for any limitations in strength, making him a highly effective defensive presence.

TECHNICAL

Sano blends flair with efficiency, pairing an immaculate first touch with a natural feel for space. He manipulates tight areas instinctively, shifting opponents with subtle body movements and releasing passes or shots cleanly off either foot.

His press resistance is outstanding. He turns away from pressure with sharp flicks, quick accelerations, and dribbling control that many wingers would envy. Under pressure he remains calm, reading opponents early and escaping crowded zones with maturity well beyond his age.

He adjusts tempo intelligently, understands when to slow the game or inject pace, and consistently makes the right decision in possession. His work rate is relentless, covering ground with intensity and purpose — a hallmark of many top Japanese midfielders.

Sano’s receiving technique is excellent, and he uses a wide range of movements to find space. He often drops deeper to link play but prefers holding width on the left when central areas are congested.

He is comfortable:

Receiving wide and driving inside
Combining quickly down the flank
Cutting in to deliver crosses
Reaching the byline to cross with his left foot
Operating in tight spaces with sharp footwork
Accelerating past defenders without relying solely on tricks

When he moves centrally, his composure stands out. He keeps possession smoothly and plays incisive short passes through midfield to create shooting opportunities.

ATTACKING

Sano is willing to attack the back post when crosses arrive, though he could make himself available even more often. He isn’t shy about shooting when space opens up on his right foot, but he still needs to improve his accuracy to consistently test goalkeepers.

His background as a winger gives him:

Good instincts for timing runs
Awareness of when to attack the box
Clean ball‑striking from range
Ability to threaten defenders and open space for teammates

PRESSING

In transition, Sano reacts quickly and carries the ball at good speed into the opposition half. After winning possession high up the pitch, he immediately looks to exploit space down the left, especially outside the opposition right‑back. He is equally dangerous when receiving centrally and playing forward passes into attacking zones.

His work rate after turnovers is outstanding. He presses relentlessly, scraps for loose balls, and shows strong determination to break up play whether operating centrally or out wide.

CONCLUSION

Kodai Sano is a modern midfielder in every sense: technically superb, tactically intelligent, relentlessly energetic, and capable of influencing games in multiple phases. His journey from Japan’s second division to PSV Eindhoven highlights his adaptability, resilience, and rapid development.

While he may not possess imposing physical strength, his mobility, intelligence, and tenacity more than compensate. PSV have secured a midfielder who can dictate rhythm, break pressure, progress play, and defend with intensity — a player whose ceiling remains high and whose trajectory continues to rise.

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TotalDutchFootball.com

FEATURE, PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

Eredivisie Standouts: No. 4 – Brandley Kuwas

March 11, 2018 Will Burns Leave a comment

It is without a doubt that the Netherlands’ three biggest club sides are AFC Ajax, PSV Eindhoven and reigning Champions Feyenoord, however scratch beneath the surface of the Eredivisie and there continues to be a common theme year after year; a wealth of fantastic young players with raw, untapped potential.

In this new series exclusive to Total Dutch Football, Joe Donnohue looks at one of the ‘Eredivisie Standouts’ who continues to leave his mark on the league outside of the traditional ‘Big Three’ squads.

Brandley Kuwas – Heracles Almelo

It may only be March but it is not difficult to predict who will be collecting Heracles Almelo’s Player of the Season award. 25-year-old right-winger Brandley Kuwas is a shoe-in for the nomination thanks to a season of stellar performances on the right flank.

Kuwas first gained the attention of many in his match-winning display in the opening gameweek of the Eredivisie season, grabbing an assist and a goal in a 2-1 comeback victory over AFC Ajax. It was during this game that the Curaçao international showcased his main attributes. As a left-footed right-winger it was of little surprise to see that both of Heracles’ goals came from the right-hand-side of the pitch. Cutting inside onto his favoured left on both occasions, Kuwas punished the Amsterdammers.

However, unlike many players who simply up their game against top opposition, Kuwas has maintained the high level throughout the entire season to date. Four goals and eleven assists later and he is one of the Eredivisie’s leaders in terms of direct goal involvement. His haul of eleven assists is the league’s best, two more than nearest challengers Hakim Ziyech and David Neres, both on nine.

Heading the assists rankings is not the only thing that Kuwas leads the Eredivisie in. For players to have played at least 1000 minutes, nobody matches the 25-year-old’s 4.2 dribbles per 90 minutes. This comes as little surprise to anybody who has seen Heracles play this season; Kuwas is an extremely strong dribbler, and his default position is to begin very wide on the right. Plenty of wingers are successful at dribbling down the line while some prefer to cut inside and complete most of their dribbles there. Kuwas on the other hand is adept at both. Going to the by-line is just as simple as dribbling across the face of goal on the edge of the box for the Curaçao winger. This makes him a real threat.

His eleven assists have come against eleven different opponents, meanwhile without his creativity and contributions Heracles would find themselves a massive sixteen points worse off in the league. This would see them plummet from relative safety in 11^th to rock-bottom in 18^th position. To say that Brandley Kuwas’ influence is felt at Heracles would be a serious understatement.

To register eleven league assists by March is a mean feat but a closer look at Kuwas’ key pass statistics indicates perhaps why this is the case. For players to have played a minimum of 1000 minutes, only Hakim Ziyech – the crown prince of the Eredivisie assist – has a better number of key passes per 90 minutes than Kuwas this season.

Kuwas registers four key passes per 90, which equates to a key pass roughly every eight passes. This is a testament to his direct approach and playing style. Kuwas’ first instinct is to go forward and find forwards in a goalscoring position, and he seems to be getting better and better at it as the seasons go by.

In years gone by Kuwas has been in the news for the occasional long-range effort that has found the back of the net. He is still an audacious player with an eye for the spectacular, particularly from free-kicks, however he does appear to be more disciplined in terms of his decision-making. When in the past he may have elected to shoot from distance, this season Kuwas opts to find a teammate and it has paid dividends for both the player and the club. The sheer number of assists he has registered is no fluke; he often gets into dangerous positions and has subsequently reaped the rewards from better choices when shooting and passing.

The prospect of an Eredivisie departure is on the cards with his current contract expiring in June 2019, however prospective buyers must consider the fact that Kuwas – already 25 – may have reached his ceiling. Barring the 2-1 win over Ajax at the beginning of the season, Kuwas largely fails to impact games against the top opposition.

Since the start of the 2016-17 campaign, against the big three of Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV, Kuwas has registered two assists and one goal over the course of nine matches. During that time, Heracles have managed just the one win as well.

Nevertheless, Kuwas is an exciting player who is in excellent form. Capable of putting lesser teams to the sword on a consistent basis, he certainly continues to be an asset to Heracles Almelo. He most definitely is an Eredivisie player that an eye should be kept on in the near future.

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FEATURE, PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

Eredivisie Standouts: No. 3 – Mason Mount

February 19, 2018 Will Burns Leave a comment

Mason Mount – Vitesse Arnhem

Chelsea’s policy of loaning young players the length and breadth of the footballing world is well-known across footballing circles. One such beneficiary, if you will, of this policy is Chelsea’s 19-year-old attacking midfielder Mason Mount.

This season the English teenager has spent the season at Vitesse Arnhem, notorious for being the recipients of many a Chelsea loanee over the past number of years. Not all are a success and some fail to adapt to life across the North Sea but Mount is beginning to look like a real contender for the odd cameo in Chelsea’s first team.

Mount has three goals in his last seven Eredivisie matches, claiming the Man of the Match award in three of his last nine.

The 19-year-old was largely restricted to brief appearances from the Vitesse bench at the beginning of the season managing just 107 league minutes by the time November arrived. However, since then Mount has started all but one of Vitesse’s league games and it has paid dividends for both the team and the player.

Four goals followed which brought his overall tally to six for the season, along with two assists. Mount has not missed a single minute of Eredivisie action since the 19^th November 2017, a stretch which has seen Vitesse win five times and draw three in 12 matches, including a dazzling display in the most recent victory over reigning champions Feyenoord.

In terms of direct goal involvement, Mount has been involved in nine Vitesse goals this season, which trumps his four goals and three assists in last season’s Premier League 2 campaign for Chelsea’s U-23 side. This has been achieved in 500 fewer minutes too, highlighting his progression as a footballer over the past year.

The England U-19 international operates in an advanced role, often just behind the striker Tim Matavz.

Having had only one season of U-23 under his belt, it was anticipated that Mount wouldn’t play a starring role in Vitesse’s season, rather it would instead be a growth experience and he would be around the first team but limited to opportunities from the bench.

Mount has shown resolve to fight for a regular berth in Vitesse’s team and maintain it with good performances. Averaging 2.5 Key Passes per 90, it is clear that Mount has natural ability to accurately find a teammate and also vision that not all players possess.

This is evident when watching the teenager’s performances. He displays a clear poise and comfortability on the ball. At times his passing decisions are questionable but that can be attributed to his confidence at attempting difficult passes when perhaps there is a simpler option available.

A great deal of Mount’s key passes come from set pieces, either from free-kicks or corners. As Vitesse’s designated taker of set pieces Mount clearly has superior technique to many of his senior teammates despite being many years their junior.

Going back to his audacity to attempt more difficult manoeuvres, this is reflected in his dribbling statistics. In the Europa League particularly, Mount likes to open his legs and take on his opponents, averaging close to three successful dribbles per 90. His success rate at this is one of the competition’s highest at 92%.

This data is possibly not as representative as his Eredivisie statistics given the fact that he has played only 367 minutes in Europe this season, as opposed to his 1200 in the league. It is still impressive, nonetheless, especially considering his success rate in the league is still relatively high at 70%.

Mount’s shooting accuracy is very impressive, having scored six league goals from just 13 shots on target. This is notable for a number of reasons, even more so given the fact that he frequently takes free-kicks in shooting territory. His free-kick which looped over the PEC Zwolle goalkeeper at the end of January showed either a stroke of good fortune or exceptional vision and technique.

The Chelsea loanee is a talent, that much is clear. He has struggled to replicate his Eredivisie output in the Europa League, potentially hinting at the fact that he is not ready to play at a higher level at this moment in time. Although, given his progression over the past year and exposure to first team football in a competitive environment, there appears to be a strong correlation.

One thing is clear; once Mount returns to Stamford Bridge his days of regular football in the U-23’s is over. He has demonstrated his ability to play – and shine – at a much higher level.

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FEATURE, PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

Eredivisie Standouts: No. 2 – Clint Leemans

February 4, 2018 Will Burns Leave a comment

With an eye for talent, Joe Donnohue looks at a young player who continues to leave his mark on the league outside of the traditional ‘Big Three’ squads.

Clint Leemans – VVV-Venlo

A player who has excited spectators in the Eredivisie this campaign is former PSV youngster Clint Leemans. 2017/18 is Leemans’ first campaign in the Netherlands’ top division, but the 22-year-old doesn’t play as though that is the case.

Despite being just 22, Leemans had accumulated 130 Dutch Jupiler League appearances before the beginning of this season. Without a doubt Leemans was one of the Jupiler League’s standout performers last season as he helped guide VVV-Venlo back to the Eredivisie.

The key role that he has adopted in VVV’s side is no surprise to anybody who watched him for Jong PSV or last season, rather what has been most surprising is his almost seamless transition to top division football with no prior experience.

Leemans has cemented himself as an essential part of this VVV side, with many of their attacks transitioning through the lofty Dutchman. Standing at 1.89m tall, Leemans is an imposing figure but retains a distinct nimble quality in his style of play. His ability to play through a teammate with a seemingly innocuous, but perfectly weighted pass has been seen time and time again for the Yellow and Black Army.

Leemans’ leading role does not cease in his position as VVV’s box-to-box playmaker where he is deployed to rake balls from left to right and front to back. His influence extends to the penalty spot and to set pieces which he is considerably adept at converting; one free-kick and four penalties to his name this season. At just 22, Leemans has a considerable responsibility on his shoulders as VVV’s designated penalty taker, but his composure and poise in every one of his appearances this season has more than justified the decision to bestow upon him such an influential role.

Set-piece delivery is an excellent asset of his, causing havoc in opposition penalty areas. Leemans’ floated, trajectory-considered deliveries are difficult to adequately defend against and to properly clear, making VVV a threat from free-kicks in particular.

Of all players to have amassed over 1000 Eredivisie minutes this season, Leemans ranks sixth on the list for accurate long key passes per 90 with 1.0 and is one of two players under the age of 23 to manage that feat.

One of the most aesthetic aspects of Leemans’ game is his nous for spotting a run that none of the opposition defenders are wise to. Not only does this give VVV an edge but it showcases the midfielder’s heightened natural ability above those on the field. One instance of this was in VVV’s 1-0 win at Roda in December 2017, where a deft outside-of-the-boot pass found the run of teammate Torino Hunte.

Very few players are capable of executing a through ball of that nature with such precision; even fewer are able at just 22. With eight league goals and four assists in his debut Eredivisie campaign, Leemans will no doubt begin to turn heads at other Dutch clubs and potentially those abroad. For now though, he continues to put in stellar performances at De Koel.

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FEATURE, PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

Eredivisie Standouts: No. 1 – Alireza Jahanbakhsh

January 30, 2018 Will Burns Leave a comment

Alireza Jahanbakhsh – AZ Alkmaar

One player who may not be unfamiliar to Eredivisie aficionados is Alireza Jahanbakhsh. The Iranian winger has eight league goals and seven assists for AZ Alkmaar this term and has been in terrific form. Without a doubt, Jahanbakhsh is AZ’s most valuable player and is certainly one who could ply his trade at a higher level.

To illustrate his importance to his side, without his direct contribution in terms of goals and assists, AZ would be 12 points and five league positions worse off. Jahanbakhsh’s contribution has seen AZ overachieve to an extent seeing them soar to third in the table at the time of writing, challenging Ajax for a Champions League qualification round place.

While perhaps not as prolific as the likes of PSV’s Hirving Lozano or ex-AZ man Steven Berghuis, it is rather Jahanbakhsh’s creativity that greatly supports AZ’s cause. On four occasions this season, the winger has been involved in both scoring and assisting in the same match. During October’s 3-0 victory over a strong FC Utrecht side, Jahanbakhsh scored one and assisted the other two goals to almost single-handedly secure all three points. His influence cannot be understated.

Having hit the ground running at AZ last season, Jahanbakhsh registered ten goals and nine assists in the Eredivisie, signalling that this season’s tally to date – which he is set to surpass on both counts – is no fluke. Rather, the 24-year-old looks to be gearing up before heading into his best footballing years.

Understandably with this kind of form it will be difficult for AZ to turn down potential suitors should a substantial bid be received and a World Cup with Iran will only showcase his skills further, only this time on the global scale. It will take something short of a miracle to keep the Iranian at the AFAS Stadion beyond this summer.

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