Paulo Oliveira Scout Report
In our scout report, Paulo Oliveira has emerged as a polarizing figure in the Primeira Liga, proving a valuable asset to his current club, Braga, from a defensive standpoint. His player stats have him placed impressively in the 96th percentile for interceptions, a testament to his reading of the game and his uncanny ability in thwarting opponents' attacking play. For a center-back who generally operates in the defensive third, seeing the ball 51% of the time, these are crucial attributes.
However, what might raise a few eyebrows in this audit is his surprisingly low percentile in aerial duels, a mere 17%. This could be seen as a glaring weakness for a defender, especially a center back. Oliveira appears to shine less in physical duels, with an underwhelming 41% success rate, implying a potential vulnerability against aggressive, high-press opposition.
His strength lies in ball recovery, sitting comfortably in the upper echelons at the 72nd percentile, touting his voracious appetite for regaining possession. His chance creation, hovering nearly at the 60th percentile, is also impressive for a player making the majority of his touches (77%) in non-attacking regions.
Yet, his paltry 9% ball retention might suggest initial concerns about his overall technical proficiency or lack thereof. This, coupled with his modest percentile for progressive carrying (around the 21st percentile) indicates that he might be a no-nonsense type of defender with less focus on initiatory playmaking.
Oliveira does seem to struggle with discipline, sitting in the 89th percentile for yellow cards. Overall, his style of play and statistics suggest a reliable and resolute defender with a scope of improvement, especially in the physical department.