Vakhtang Salia

Vakhtang Salia

Full name in native alphabet: ვახტანგ სალია

Country: Georgia

Date of birth: 30/08/2007 (16 years old)

Place of birth: Tbilisi (Georgia)

Height: 181cm

Youth career: Dinamo Tbilisi

Current club: Dinamo Tbilisi

Squad number: 7

Current national team: Georgia U-17

Position: winger, second striker, striker

Preferred foot: right

Market value (by transfermarkt.de): —

Tournaments participated in: 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualification elite round (2/0)

Contract until: unknown

Player’s agent: unknown

Transfer rumours: —

Similar type of player: João Félix

Strengths:

– pace

– dribbling

– technique

– ball control

– flair

– creativity

– movement

– shooting technique

– versatility

– first touch

– bravery

– set pieces

To improve:

– consistency of his decision-making in the final third

– defensive contribution

Style of play:

– shadow striker

– player with a decent body mass ratio, who should work hard on his physicality and can develop quite well in this aspect in the coming years

– offensive allrounder, who is capable of playing anywhere along the front-line

– not the most electric player, but he possesses very good speed at all distances

– very good technical ability, 1vs1 short-dribbling skills, close ball control, and fast direction shifts in possession

– likes to play in a free attacking role, where he is granted the freedom to roam the pitch and find space

– likes to dribble

– likes to attack from the wing/half spaces (mostly left)

– likes to use feints and body balance to beat his opponents

– tricky off-the-ball movement in and around the box

– very strong in 1v1 situations, unpredictable, positive with the ball at his feet, and confident of his skills

– mobile and skillful at beating his markers and evading pressure

– very dangerous on the counter thanks to his electric pace, flair, and movement

– often makes surging runs into the penalty box

– decent shooting power and accuracy from mid and long-range

– able to dribble comfortably and make quick combinations with his teammates at top speed

– above-average footwork and close control in tight spaces

– doesn’t use it very often, but he operates quite comfortably with his weaker left foot

– good indirect set-piece taker

After a good counter-attacking run, Salia scores with a precise shot from mid-range.

After a good run through the wing, Salia spots the late run of his teammate and provides an assist with a brilliant cutback.

Salia enters the penalty area, confuses his opponent with a set of body feints, but his shot hits the post.

Heatmap by Wyscout:

He is best suited to playing as:

Second striker in 4-4-2.

Video:

Achievements:

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League summary (as for 24 May 2024):

Erovnuli Liga 2023: 3 games/0 goals (Dinamo Tbilisi)

Erovnuli Liga 2024 (ongoing): 14 games/2 goals (Dinamo Tbilisi)

Description:

Vakhtang Salia is considered to be one of the most exciting Georgian talents in recent years. He is a product of the Dinamo Tbilisi academy – an excellent youth system that developed many superb players in recent years such as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Giorgi Chakvetadze, Zuriko Davitashvili, Irakli Azarovi, Luka Gagnidze, Anzor Mekvabishvili, Gabriel Sigua, Aleksandre Kalandadze, and Luka Gagnidze. Vakho made his professional debut for Dinamo on 24 November 2023 at the age of only 16 years, 2 months, and 25 days.

Quotes:

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Football Talent Scout potential rating:

8/10