Matviy Ponomarenko: scouting report by Kirill Kryzhanovskyi
Country: Ukraine
Date of birth: 11/01/2006 (17 years old)
Place of birth: Ukraine
Height: 187 cm
Weight: 88 kg
Youth career: Dynamo Kyiv Academy
Current club: Zorya Luhansk U19 (on loan from Dynamo Kyiv)
Squad number: 11
Current national team: Ukraine U-17
Position: centre forward
Preferred foot: right
Market value (by transfermarkt.de): –
Contract until: 30.06.2027
Player’s agent: FAMK Group (Ukraine)
Transfer rumours: —
Similar type of player: the mix of Romelu Lukaku and Karim Benzema styles of play
Strengths:
– pace – very strong
– acceleration – strong
– dynamism – very strong
– work rate – very strong
– ball control – strong
– dribbling – very strong
– agility – strong
– flair – very strong
– off-the-ball movement – very strong
– technique – strong
– tackling – average
– crossing – no need due to position
– bravery – very strong
– leadership – very strong (captain of all his teams, in Dynamo Academy, Ukraine U17, Zorya U19)
To improve:
– efficiency in the opponent’s penalty area
– makes a lot of passes instead of shooting/needs to be more hungry/selfish in the final third
Style of play:
– powerful forward
– dominant in the air/aerial threat
– unselfish player who likes to pass in the final third and create good chances for his teammates
– aggressive and determined during set-pieces
– fast despite his physical profile
– powerful shooting skills with both feet
– likes to dribble (7,7 per game in UPL U19 league)
– wins many fouls near the penalty area (1,9 per game in UPL U19 league)
– hardworking forward with good link-up play, playmaking skills, and ability to connect with the midfield and attacking partners
– his physical power and intellect let him play fruitfully with his back to the goal
– generates many flick-ons and passes into the channels for his teammates to utilize
– knows how to use his body and impressive physical strength well to gain advantage
– very active and combative in the defensive phase/pressing
Best position:
Centre-forward.
Heatmap by Wyscout:
Stats summary this season (2022/2023):
UPL U19 – 12 games (8 in starting XI), 3 goals (became a regular starter in 2023)
Ukraine U17 team – 7 games, 8 goals
Description:
Matviy Ponomarenko is the most talented Ukrainian centre forward from the 16 to 19 years old range. He is a very strong and aggressive player, a real leader of all his teams (captain and dressing room key person).
Ponomarenko is a Dynamo Kyiv Academy product. He was loaned to Zorya U19 team at the age of 16 and became a regular starter in the U19 league. In winter, Dynamo head coach Mircea Lucescu was impressed by his talent and qualities during the training camp and Dynamo signed a new long-term contract with him. Matviy got a chance to play in the starting XI for Dynamo’s first team in friendlies during the training camp.
It’s expected that he will return to Dynamo in the summer of 2023 and will get a real chance in the first team. Ponomarenko is a very ambitious player with serious talent and bright future ahead. He additionally worked with a personal physical coach, trying to improve his stamina and coordination.
Ukraine had never seen a young forward of this type for a long time. He is a very strong and clever player but sometimes needs to focus more on shots and goals.
It’s believed that in 2-3 years he could be a regular starter of Dynamo and Ukraine U21 (at least).
Video:
Typical goals of Ponomarenko:
Headers after finding free space in the penalty area
After a long pass to the penalty area
Middle range shots (from the penalty area line)
Headers after set pieces
