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Sven Botman: A Scouting Report
Despite losing star center back Gabriel to Arsenal this past summer, Lille are joint-top in Ligue 1 and own the 2nd best defensive record 17 games into the season.
Their success, in large part, can be attributed to 20-year-old Dutchman Sven Botman. We analyze the defender here:
Their success, in large part, can be attributed to 20-year-old Dutchman Sven Botman. We analyze the defender here:
After a successful loan spell at Eredivisie side Heerenveen in 2019/20, Ajax sold Botman to Lille for just £6.5 million during the summer.
A technical, imposing, left-footed, 6’4 CB, Botman boasts a really impressive profile, and is in many ways a rare asset in modern football.
A technical, imposing, left-footed, 6’4 CB, Botman boasts a really impressive profile, and is in many ways a rare asset in modern football.
Botman has started all of Lille’s Ligue 1 games, while his side have conceded just 12 times.
Often paired alongside the experienced José Fonte, the two have developed a somewhat formidable partnership, not only reliable defensively, but also key to the build up from the back.
Often paired alongside the experienced José Fonte, the two have developed a somewhat formidable partnership, not only reliable defensively, but also key to the build up from the back.
Botman’s physical presence makes him very difficult to compete with, both on the ground and aerially: no defender in Ligue 1 has won a higher percentage of their total duels.
His tackles are assertive, his timing is often spot on, and he deals well with threats in-behind. https://twitter.com/ftblgifs/status/1345994407837921281
His tackles are assertive, his timing is often spot on, and he deals well with threats in-behind. https://twitter.com/ftblgifs/status/1345994407837921281
To call him dominant in the air wouldn’t do him justice.
Not only does he use his stature to his advantage, but he positions himself excellently to clear crosses or long balls forward, often stepping in front of his marker and heading away assuredly. https://twitter.com/ftblgifs/status/1346114224498634755
Not only does he use his stature to his advantage, but he positions himself excellently to clear crosses or long balls forward, often stepping in front of his marker and heading away assuredly. https://twitter.com/ftblgifs/status/1346114224498634755
Botman has also displayed a really mature understanding of the game.
The Dutchman consistently anticipates passes and intercepts, reads balls over the top and drops back quickly, recovers to make last ditch challenges, and is purposeful in possession after winning the ball. https://twitter.com/ftblgifs/status/1346114399577251840
The Dutchman consistently anticipates passes and intercepts, reads balls over the top and drops back quickly, recovers to make last ditch challenges, and is purposeful in possession after winning the ball. https://twitter.com/ftblgifs/status/1346114399577251840
He does, however, still commit mistakes and show the moments of naivety we’d expect from a largely inexperienced, 20-year-old CB.
He’s sometimes guilty of being too eager defensively, jumping into tackles and leaving space in-behind when mistimed, thus exposing his pace. https://twitter.com/ftblgifs/status/1345933995918422016
He’s sometimes guilty of being too eager defensively, jumping into tackles and leaving space in-behind when mistimed, thus exposing his pace. https://twitter.com/ftblgifs/status/1345933995918422016
He's also often caught slightly flat-footed, sometimes allowing his marker to make a step in front of him, especially from crosses into the box.
His 1v1 defending, while still impressive for his frame, can always improve, especially against quicker, more nimble forwards.
His 1v1 defending, while still impressive for his frame, can always improve, especially against quicker, more nimble forwards.
A left-footed CB with a strong passing range is like gold dust in today’s game.
Capable of accurate switches of play, incisive balls into midfield, or precise passes down the line, he’s more than adept with his feet, making him very suitable for a possession-dominant side. https://twitter.com/ftblgifs/status/1346113132830326784
Capable of accurate switches of play, incisive balls into midfield, or precise passes down the line, he’s more than adept with his feet, making him very suitable for a possession-dominant side. https://twitter.com/ftblgifs/status/1346113132830326784
Botman’s age and inexperience makes his composure in possession and ability defensively that much more impressive, all while his game is constantly improving.
His rise to prominence makes the links to Liverpool unsurprising, and it’s worth keeping an eye on his next step.
His rise to prominence makes the links to Liverpool unsurprising, and it’s worth keeping an eye on his next step.
Botman’s recent progression means he’s often overlooked in discussions surrounding the best young CB’s in football, but we feel he’s worthy of a place in the conversation.
He’s a defender that really is, and he’s certainly one to watch.
He’s a defender that really is, and he’s certainly one to watch.
