Pavel Apetenok
Full name in native alphabet: Апетёнок Павел Владимирович
Country: Belarus
Date of birth: 21/03/2007 (16 years old)
Place of birth: Belarus
Height: 193cm
Youth career: Dinamo Minsk
Current club: Dinamo Minsk
Squad number: —
Current national team: Belarus U-17
Position: central defender
Preferred foot: right
Market value (by transfermarkt.de): —
Tournaments participated in: 2023 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualification elite round (3/1), UEFA Youth League 2023/2024 (2/0)
Contract until: unknown
Player’s agent: unknown
Transfer rumours: —
Similar type of player: Sven Botman
Strengths:
– anticipation 
– physicality
– aerial duels
– positioning
– tackling 
– passing
To improve:
– agility and pace over the first meters/may struggle a bit in front of skilful players with fast direction shifts/great acceleration skills
Style of play:
– complete, elegant, and dominant centre-back
– player of a large frame and great physical strength for his age
– comfortable to play as a RCB and LCB in a four-man defensive line
– likes to leave the line and prefers an active style of defending by getting into challenges and pressing opponents
– positively aggressive and tenacious tackler/strong in 1vs1 duels
– above-average technical capacity, passing ability at all distances, and composure on the ball
– often blocks shots, cuts or intercepts passes and crosses near or inside his penalty area thanks to his anticipation, ability to read the game, positioning, and timing
– committed player with a very good rate of individual and collective work
– very strong player who knows how to use his body to gain advantage/wins most of the physical duels
– his long-reaching legs are very helpful when tackling, blocking, and recovering from mistakes
– very dominant in the air/aerial threat in the opposition box during set pieces
– charismatic and mature for his age/potential leader of the defensive line
Apetenok leaves the line and stops the attack with a very well timed sliding tackle.
Apetenok reads the game well and intercepts a dangerous cutback.
Apetenok anticipates well, intercepts the ball, and plays an intelligent line-breaking pass.
Heatmap by Wyscout:
He is best suited to playing as:
Central defender in 4-3-3.
Video:
Achievements:
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League summary (as for 28 November 2023):
No senior team appearances yet.
Description:
Pavel Apetenok is a product of the Dinamo Minsk youth academy. He is considered to be one of the most talented teenage players in Belarus. On 4 October 2023, Pavel made his UEFA Youth League debut against Ludogorets at the age of 16 years, 6 months and 13 days, becoming the 4th youngest Belarusian to feature in the competition. He is a regular youth international for Belarus – he started at the U-15 level and currently he is one of the leaders of the U-17 setup.
Quotes:
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Football Talent Scout potential rating:
Country-scale star with top European league ambition.
Links: