Axel Witsel Scout Report
In this scout report, we delve into the seasoned Belgian center back, Axel Witsel, now plying his trade in the colors of Atletico Madrid in La Liga. Despite being at the age of 35, Witsel still maintains an outstanding presence on the field, showcasing his experience and ability to control and defend his turf.
Witsel's style of play shows him as an anchor at the backline, contributing largely with his commendable ball recovery and retention skills which stand in the 70th and 60th percentiles respectively. His exceptional pass accuracy perpetuates his standing, placed in the staggering 95th percentile.
His knack for goal efficiency is remarkable for a defender, standing at the 84th percentile, highlighting a strong threat during set-piece scenarios and being rather swift to capitalize on limited opportunities. However, this knack doesn't appear to transition effectively into creating chances for the team, his chance creation statistics fall low into the 22nd percentile.
Where Witsel truly shines is in one-on-one confrontations, boasting an impressive win rate in duels and aerial battles, his figures dance in the 90th percentile, outmatching most in his league and position.
The only glaring weakness from Witsel's player stats is his low interception rate, finding himself at a disappointing 5th percentile. This may indicate a lack of positional awareness or slower reaction times, possibly due to his advancing age.
When observing his player activity and possession area, it's clear that Witsel is a traditionalist at heart, playing mostly in the defensive and midfield thirds, supporting the defensive line and initiating the play rather than venturing into the attacking third.
In essence, Witsel is a seasoned warrior, fearlessly putting himself in the thick of duels, whilst managing possession expertly to keep the play alive and controlled. However, there's a need to improve his interception abilities and enhance his overall threat during counter-attacks. Nonetheless, he remains a vital cog in Atletico Madrid's defensive setup.