Niko Tsakiris

Niko Tsakiris

Contents

Tsakiris makes a quick decision after receiving the ball and provides a superb pass to create a big chance for his teammate.Tsakiris loses his marker with a brilliant first touch and provides a superb through ball to his striker.

Country: USA

Date of birth: 19/06/2005 (17 years old)

Place of birth: Saratoga, California (USA)

Height: 178cm

Youth career: De Anza Force Soccer Club, IMG Academy, San Jose Earthquakes (since 2017)

Current club: San Jose Earthquakes

Squad number: 30

Current national team: USA U-20

Position: central midfielder, attacking midfielder, winger

Preferred foot: left

Market value (by transfermarkt.de): 100.000 €

Tournaments participated in: 2022 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship (5/3)

Contract until: 31.12.2025

Player’s agent: unknown

Transfer rumours: —

Similar type of player: Giovani Lo Celso

Strengths:

– pace

– passing

– vision

– technique

– ball control

– teamwork

– football IQ

– versatility

– dribbling

– first touch

– set-pieces

To improve:

– efficiency in defensive duels

– operating with his right weaker foot

Style of play:

– roaming playmaker

– likes to have the ball at his feet and has the natural ability of an ‘orchestrator’ midfielder who can perform at all of midfield positions

– player with excellent technical ability, 1vs1 short-dribbling skills, close ball control, and fast direction shifts in possession

– midfielder who sees the game differently from most revealing creativity, cleverness at his off-the-ball movements, great vision, and passing ability orchestrating or providing dynamism to the team’s build-up process with ease and effectiveness

– fast, dynamic, and mobile player who covers a lot of space

– likes to speed-up the game with progressive runs and passes

– very good in combination play

– cultured passer with a proclivity for breaking the lines with intricate vertical balls

– extraordinary thinking when on the ball – he often chooses options which are unexpected for the opposition

– high football IQ and spatial awareness

– has the ability and confidence to provide good through/killer passes in the final third

– great composure, elegance, and retention skills under pressure/press-resistant player

– displays a natural technique to dribble and take fast decisions in tight spaces

– constantly asking for the ball and often is an additional passing option

– avoids using his right weaker foot

– good direct and indirect set-piece taker

Tsakiris makes a quick decision after receiving the ball and provides a superb pass to create a big chance for his teammate.

Tsakiris loses his marker with a brilliant first touch and provides a superb through ball to his striker.

Heatmap by Wyscout:

He is best suited to playing as:

Central midfielder in 4-3-3.

Video:

Achievements:

2022 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship winner with USA.

League summary (as for 19 July 2022):

MLS 2022 (ongoing): 2 games/0 goals (San Jose Earthquakes)

MLS Next Pro 2022 (ongoing): 2 games/0 goals (San Jose Earthquakes II)

Description:

Niko Tsakiris joined San Jose Earthquakes from IMG Academy in 2017. In January 2022, he became the fifth youngest player in club history to sign a homegrown contract. He made his professional debut on 12 March 2022 in a league fixture against Philadelphia Union becoming Quakes’ third youngest player ever after Cade Cowell and Gilbert Fuentes. Niko is also a regular youth international – he was the youngest member of US roster at the 2022 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship which young Americans won in great style.

Quotes:

“Hard work is fun for me. I love this game so much that it’s a ‘let’s go type of thing.’ When you love it, it’s not that hard to keep showing up and keep putting in the work.”

(Niko Tsakiris)

Football Talent Scout potential rating:

8/10