Scouting report: Joao Moutinho, Sporting Lisbon
The Portuguese Under-21 playmaker has all the attributes to replace the genius of Deco.
July 24, 2007 1:48 AM
They say everyone has a double in life and in Joao Moutinho's case it is Barcelona's Deco. Small, busy and with an eagerness to get on the ball at every occasion, the Portuguese midfielder is one of the most highly rated young players in Europe and has reportedly interested Arsène Wenger ahead of the new Premiership season.
Moutinho is a difficult player to pigeon- hole. Some will say he is slightly indisciplined, at worst a luxury player looking at it from an English perspective, but when I watched him against Holland in the recent European Under-21 Championship, he certainly did not unbalance the side.
He did his shift defensively, rarely gave the ball away and was at the centre of many of the good things that this star-studded young Portugal side did. In fact, he illustrated exactly why his club side, Sporting Lisbon, signed him up on a six-year contract soon after he played in the side that beat Belenenses in this year's Portuguese Cup final.
Teams on the continent do not show the structure, shape or balance we find over here, mainly because the game in certain areas is slower, allowing players time to fill in for each other. And Moutinho's abilities mean he fits in perfectly to this style of play.
Popping up all over the pitch against Holland, he signalled his intent early in the game with a fantastic dummy from the right wing and an inch-perfect cross to the far post, showing great vision in what was a crowded penalty box.
As with everything, Moutinho was positive when in a position to shoot without taking on the impossible and he was unlucky on one occasion with a technically superb first-time volley. He is prepared to receive the ball for the five-yard pass or the 50-yard pass, always making himself available and an option for the man in possession.
His pass appreciation was good, as was the weight he put on the ball, never passing behind his team-mate but always allowing the move to flow freely. During the match he played in various positions, mainly in advanced areas, but what was suprising was how well he brought a discipline to his game when asked to play at the bottom of the diamond in midfield. He demonstrated bravery in the tackle and proved himself to be a real competitor when his team was under pressure.
His versatility explains why, after making his debut for Sporting in January 2005, he played 95 consecutive games before being suspended. He was also part of the Portuguese side that won the 2003 European Under-17 Championship and made his senior debut against Luxembourg in 2005. At 20, he has already won eight caps for the senior side.
In addition to Arsenal, I think he would thrive at somewhere like Chelsea: he needs the opportunity to play in a Joe Cole-type role with the freedom to express himself. He is a particular type of player, who treads a fine line between match-winner and passenger in some people's eyes. But for me he has the balance just right.
Age 20
Born Portimao
Position Midfield
Height 5ft 7in
Weight 9st 8lb From Portimonense
Awareness 9/10
Heading 8/10
Attitude 8/10 Tackling 7/10
Passing 9/10
Team responsibility 9/10
Valuation £3m-4m
