Why generational Barcelona talent Lamine Yamal is worth the hype
Barcelona’s financial issues meant that they have been unable to compete for the best attackers in the transfer market. But the rise of Lamine Yamal from their famed La Masia academy means that they did not need to look elsewhere.
With a WhoScored rating of 7.01, Yamal has been one of the highest rated teenagers in Europe's top five leagues this season. He has also been Barcelona’s best attacker recently, and ranks first for successful dribbles per 90 and second for big chances created and Expected Assists in their squad.
Such has been the impact of Yamal this season that we will soon be running out of words to describe his record-breaking exploits on the pitch.
He was already the youngest player and goalscorer for Spain and Barcelona, but against Granada on Sunday; the 16-year-old also became the youngest player to score a brace in La Liga history. Those goals took him to 10+ goal contributions for the season, which once again made him the youngest player to do so.
Yamal has forced €60m signing Raphinha to sit on the bench, and been the brightest spark in an otherwise underwhelming season for the Blaugrana.
Lamine Yamal Transfer Value - how much is he worth?
It is impossible to put a value on Yamal, who at the age of 16 is already a key player for club and country. He is among a handful of players that are priceless for their club.
As per FootballTransfer’s Player Valuation Model, the Spaniard has a current Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €30.8m. This makes him by far the most valuable player in the world under the age of under 17.
After only playing 10 senior minutes last season, Yamal’s stunning breakthrough this campaign has seen him make 33 appearances in all competitions. And his transfer value has mirrored that rise and skyrocketed from under a million at the start of the season.
Is Lamine Yamal a generational talent - what does the data say?
Yamal mostly starts on the right side of a front three in Xavi’s 4-3-3 formation, and tries to stay wide to receive the ball in space.
He is able to rapidly change direction to cut inside and whip in a cross or shoot with his stronger left foot. His 0.22 Expected Goals (xG), 0.32 Expected Assists (xA) per 90 are impressive numbers for someone playing in only his first season as a starter.
But Yamal is equally comfortable going on the outside and operating like more of a classic winger. His incredible technique and athleticism also make him capable of both attacking the space in behind or receiving the ball to feet.
This unpredictability of not knowing what he will do next makes him an absolute nightmare for defenders.
The Barcelona number 27 has excellent ball-striking that makes him a constant threat from his shots, passes and crosses. He always seems to get the right weight on his 2.59 passes and 0.93 crosses into the penalty area per 90. Both figures put him among the best wingers in La Liga.
With 2.95 successful take-ons and 2.23 carries into penalty area per 90, Yamal is a very fun player to watch. He can beat multiple players at will and can relentlessly go at defenders throughout the game.
These stats are among the league leading figures, but look even more remarkable when compared to players in and around his age.
What the lightweight winger lacks in stature, he more than makes up for in his determination off the ball. His 3.52 tackles and interceptions per 90 put him in the top 1 % of positional peers in the league.
Yamal’s resurgence has been exciting, but Barcelona have been guilty of running their youngsters into the ground at an early age. We have seen this with the likes of Ansu Fati and Pedri, whose equally promising careers have stalled.
It is impossible to judge the ceiling of a teenager like Yamal, whose physical development has not fully completed. But he should be managed carefully, so he can go on to have a career worthy of his generational talent.
This article was provided by FootballTransfers
