Kevin Strootman Scout Report
In this scout report, we analyze the player stats of Kevin Strootman, the experienced Dutch central midfielder for Genoa in Serie A during the 2023-2024 season. Despite his advancing age of 34, Strootman remains a crucial player and is never found lacking in ball retention where he finds himself in the upper 15%, owing to which his team often leans on him to sustain their attacking play. He has the ability to see and play progressive passes, putting himself in the top tier of midfield artists in Serie A.
However, his relative weakness lies in goal threat—Strootman rates markedly low in nearly direct offensive categories, indicating that he isn't one to frequently end up in scoring positions. This is particularly clear when examining the attacking third and attacking penalty area possession metrics, with Strootman reconnoitering these areas sparingly, perhaps due to his role as a defensive midfielder. His progressive carrying visualization elucidates this further, affirming why he isn’t creating many chances directly.
But where he lacks in direct threat, he makes up for in his outstanding expected assists (xA) percentile. He specializes in delivering key passes that lead to scoring opportunities, reinforcing his role as a key cog in his team's midfield engine.
On the defensive end, Strootman holds his ground, reflected through his above-average ball recovery and recoveries percentile. However, his duel win percentages aren’t as admirable, suggesting room for growth in his aerial and one-on-one encounters. His high frequency of yellow cards hints at a somewhat aggressive style of play, a common yet risky trait for a defensive midfielder.
In conclusion, while Strootman's style of play isn't the flashiest, his gritty defensive work and precise passing are vital to his team's dynamics. Though not a significant goal threat, his superior ball retention and ability to create chances see him standing out in the crowded milieu of Serie A midfielders.
