Benjamin Fredrick
Country: Nigeria
Date of birth: 28/05/2005 (18 years old)
Place of birth: Nigeria
Height: 187cm
Previous clubs: Simoiben FC, ABS FC (loan), Nasarawa United (loan)
Current club: Simoiben FC
Squad number: —
Current national team: Nigeria U-20
Position: central defender, right-back
Preferred foot: right
Market value (by transfermarkt.de): 150.000 €
Tournaments participated in: 2023 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (6/0), 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup (4/0)
Contract until: unknown
Player’s agent: CAA Base
Transfer rumours: —
Similar type of player: Éder Militão
Strengths:
– tackling 
– ability to read the game 
– anticipation
– positioning
– pace 
– agility
– aerial duels
– athleticism
To improve:
– a very complete profile for a centre-back of his age, but still needs to work hard to improve/polish some elements of his game such as physicality, progressive passing, and playing under pressure
Style of play:
– complete and dominant central defender
– player with a decent body mass ratio, physical strength, power, stamina, and natural fitness who feels comfortable in contact situations
– can also cover the right-back position if needed and could be an interesting option to play as a RCB in a three-man defensive line
– likes to leave the line and prefers an active style of defending by getting into challenges, pressing opponents, and anticipating their moves
– excellent reactions and positioning
– good pace at all distances, agility, and coordination
– likes to spread play with good long-range diagonals
– able to play in a high line
– often cuts or intercepts passes and crosses near or inside his penalty area/concentrated in the defensive phase with very good reading of the game, timing, and anticipation
– above-average composure, passing skills, and confidence in possession
– committed, tenacious, and positively aggressive player, who likes duels and has a very high percentage of challenges won
– usually plays clean and doesn’t get booked very often
– not the tallest, but quite dominant in the air thanks to his timing, agility, and good jumping technique
– decent leadership skills/potential leader of the defensive line
Fredrick reads the game well, outpaces his opponent, and intercepts the pass.
Fredrick reads the game superbly and intercepts a dangerous cross.
Fredrick stays well on his feet and cuts a very dangerous pass.
Heatmap by Wyscout:
He is best suited to playing as:
Central defender in 4-3-3.
Video:
Achievements:
2023 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations 3rd place with Nigeria.
League summary (as for 17 August 2023):
NPFL 2022/2023: 6 games/0 goals (Nasarawa United)
Description:
Benjamin Fredrick is considered to be one of the most talented teenage centre-backs in Africa. In 2023, he represented his country and was one of Nigeria’s leaders at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA U-20 World Cup, where the Super Eagles showed a superb generation of players such as Daniel Daga, Samson Lawal, Solomon Agbalaka, Victor Eletu, Sunday Jude, Abel Ogwuche, and Daniel Bameyi.
Quotes:
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Football Talent Scout potential rating:
First team material in a top European league.
Links: