Matias Soule has had quite the eventful season so far. It almost seemed like maybe it was a difficult path to the 1st team not because he wasn’t talented or Max Allegri didn’t feel him useful but it was just that without any European competition, Soule was let go to construct a team to fight out a league title. But Juve, being full aware what Soule brings, decided to give him a taste of top flight experience by loaning him out. And that started what’s probably Soule’s best season of his blossoming career.
The Eye Test: Describing Matias Soule’s Profile
Vid 1: Matias Soule snippet this season (Courtesy of YT: Brazil Scout)
Matias Soule is having a phenomenal season which is pretty much known and you can’t hide your surprise at the fact that his game represents the closest to you can see Angel Di Maria in his best days, who mentored him at Juventus. Frosinone play a 4-2-3-1/4-4-2 hybrid in general where usually you see Soule pretty much operate in a free role either from the right to drift inwards or from a 10 where he can go either onto the left or right to assist teammates.
Depending on which areas teams could be weak 1v1, Frosinone coach Di Fransesco usually deploys Soule onto that side to make difference and put his teammates through. Hence why it’s almost so unbelievable that Soule plays very well adept on either flank. His technique and frame that can get through short spaces helps a lot while still maintaining considerable upper body strength meaning unless you foul him hard on the ball, it’s not easy to dispossess him cleanly.
Profiling Matias Soule with Some Data and Numbers: The other side of Soule
Pic 1 and 2: A sample of Soule’s performances this season
Soule’s performance against Bologna this season, should be said one of his most complete performances of his short but potential career. If you look closely at Pic 1, he covered the entire right flank in a performance where he provided numerous box entries either with his passes or carries. In the 2nd Pitch, you can see the defensive actions he put in, showcasing a knack for off ball activity and ensure he helps either his Fullback or midfielders OOP (out of possession).
This of course has to take into account coach Di Franseco’s usual penchant for a more expansive approach both in and out of possession. But what’s more important is Soule’s skillset is good enough that provided room for freedom to express in possession, Soule offers the complete package and that’s best summarized in Pic 2 as well, showcasing his performances against other teams this season.
Pic 3: Soule’s Performance Radar this season
As we dwell on the core Performance metrics you’d take for any attacking forward, Soule’s numbers come up high, but here the understanding should be that his progressive actions far make up more than what the actual output in terms of G/A may come to fruition. To put in simple words, Soule despite being outright Frosinone’s top scorer, is far more important as the one who makes progressive plays than just someone who scores because of his actions in final 3rd. If Matias Soule isn’t there, Frosinone’s ball progression drops, which means their ability to create any chances drops too. If Soule had any interesting strike partner to finish, Frosinone’s goals would double up.
Conclusion: Charting Soule’s Future prospects
As mentioned in the beginning, Soule’s loan just didn’t spring out because he deserved more game time, as Juve had no European competition to play in. Soule’s Profile doesn’t chart out what w.r.t. what Juve plays and though his technique might find a place in some other position that he might need to train in more in a 3-5-2/3-4-1-2 system, Soule represents a proper cash cow after what’s he’s done at Frosinone.
But any assumptions now are pretty useless, because teams aren’t built usually to be too rigid for a particular system and Soule having a solid time on his current deal means this loan to Frosinone has boosted his future 1st team consideration at the top level but nothing concrete yet.
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