In our latest scout report, we take a closer look at Danish center back, Rasmus Nicolaisen, playing in Ligue 1 for Toulouse. A seasoned professional at 27, Nicolaisen has held his own in an impressive 33-match span in the 2023-2024 season.
Nicolaisen's style of play signals a formidable presence in the air, with a percentile score that bests almost every other center back in Ligue 1. His aerial prowess is a standout strength, making him an imposing rival in any aerial confrontation. This superiority is further corroborated with an impressive duel win rate, signaling his tenacity and determination in one-on-one scenarios.
His ball recovery skills are another crucial strength. Nicolaisen's ability to anticipate, intercept and recover possession for his side places him in an elite category among his contemporaries. He also bolsters his overall solidity with adequate chance creation and ball retention capabilities, providing Toulouse with reliable defensive anchor as well as a potential launchpad for counter-attacks.
Despite his commendable contributions, there are aspects of Nicolaisen's play that invite criticism. His comparatively low pass accuracy and progressive carrying capability suggest a need for improvement in his distributive skills. His higher rate of fouls committed also points to a slightly overzealous playing style that can inadvertently cede strategic advantage to opponents.
Lastly, Nicolaisen's player stats depict a clear trend of his involvement in the game. Operating primarily in the midfield and defensive thirds, he shows a no-nonsense, direct defense-to-attack transition approach with fewer touches on the ball.
In all considerations, Rasmus Nicolaisen emerges as a defensively robust presence, albeit with a few areas warranting improvement. His aerial dominance and ball recovery skills easily make him a powerhouse in Toulouse's backline, and a potentially compelling prospect for any top-tier outfit seeking the same.
Rasmus Nicolaisen Key stats
Rasmus Nicolaisen Shot Maps
Rasmus Nicolaisen Shot Summary
In the 2023-2024 season, Rasmus Nicolaisen took 19 shots, scoring 2 goals. This output came from an Expected Goals (xG) of 1.11, averaging 0.06 xG per shot.
Right Foot: 0 goals from 2 shots. A 0.0% conversion rate. 0.06 xG per shot.
Left Foot: 0 goals from 2 shots. A 0.0% conversion rate. 0.05 xG per shot.
Headers: 2 goals from 15 headed attempts. A 13.33% conversion rate. 0.06 xG per shot.
