Josh Laurent Scout Report
Our spotlight in today's scout report is on seasoned Englishman, Josh Laurent of Stoke City. This stalwart defensive midfielder, who can also shine in both central and attacking midfield roles, is an intriguing prospect in the Championship. At 29, Laurent brings maturity and experience to the pitch which is evident in his gameplay.
Despite his defensive moniker, Laurent stands out for his noticeably high involvement in offensive plays. His ability to progress the ball both by carrying it and passing (ranking in the 76th and 90th percentile respectively), showcases his desire to drive the team forward. Simultaneously, his goal threat percentile positioning him at 75% indicates a player who is not shy of taking a shot at the opposing posts whenever given the chance.
However, Laurent's style of play is not without its flaws. His relatively low ranking in ball-retention (29th percentile) is of concern. Ball retention directly impacts possession and losing the ball often undermines a team’s efforts. Additionally, in terms of winning duels, he ranks worryingly low, thus limiting his talent in breaking up plays and gaining control for his team.
One particular disparity that might raise an eyebrow is his high foul rate, situating within the top echelons at the 92nd percentile. This infers that Laurent, while assertive, may also carry a level of risk due to the potential for bookings and even ejections.
To sum up, Laurent's overall player stats show a unique fusion of an assertive defensive midfielder with the unusual flair for progressive, offensive play. Although there's room for improvement in certain areas, his threat in front of the goal, ability to recover the ball, coupled with his skill at moving it forward, make him a fascinating prospect to analyze.
