Lucas Jetten – Another Jewel of De Toekomst by Elia Ventura
Date of birth: 07/06/2007, 17 years old
Height: 166 cm
Preferred foot: Left
Contract until: 30/06/2026
Position: Fullback
Role: Creative Fullback
Background:
Lucas Jetten brings a multicultural perspective, having been born in South Africa and raised in the Netherlands. Adopted by his Dutch mother, Lucas relocated to the Netherlands at a young age and was quickly drawn to football. From a young age, he was scouted by Ajax and has developed steadily within the club’s youth system. He maintains ties with South Africa, occasionally participating in community outreach with Ajax Cape Town, providing him with insight into his heritage and the social challenges ofhis birth country.
A few months ago Lucas Jetten received the Abdelhak Nouri Trophy on Monday evening. This award is given annually to the biggest talent of the future. The 17-year-old defender follows Jorrel Hato, who won the prize last year. Other big names who have won the award include Ryan Gravenberch, Matthijs de Ligt, Christian Eriksen, and Wesley Sneijder
On the Ball:
Build-up Play: Lucas is comfortable building from the back, using his low center of gravity to retain balance under pressure. He effectively creates space and makes himself an available option for teammates, progressing play with short, grounded passes.
First Touch: His first touch is reliable, which allows him to control the ball quickly and set himself up for the next move, even when closely marked.
Passing: Consistently plays short, grounded passes, which helps maintain possession but can occasionally make him predictable. He tends to rely on simple passes rather than switching play or attempting crosses, opting to stay close to the penalty area rather than reaching the byline.
Ball Retention: Excellent at retaining the ball in congested areas, using his agility and body positioning to shield the ball from opponents.
Off the Ball:
Defensive Contribution: Dependable in defensive play, Lucas frequently makes successful tackles and is quick to recover the ball when possession is lost. His positioning is disciplined, which allows him to cover gaps effectively.
Back-Post Defense and Diagonals: His height can present a challenge on crosses and at the back post, but he compensates with quick positioning adjustments and close marking.
Marking and Duels: Shows resilience and strength in marking opponents and engaging in duels, demonstrating a good understanding of timing and physical control.
Pressing and Aggression: Lucas shows intensity and pace in pressing, often closing down his opponent with speed. His pressing could benefit from further experience, as he sometimes relies on pace instead of adjusting his approach based on positioning.
Ball Recovery: Quick to regain possession, Lucas’s agility allows him to recover balls even after initial challenges or when caught out of position.
Physical Evaluation:
Agility, Athleticism, Stamina: His low center of gravity provides balance and helps him change directions quickly. Good stamina and athleticism allow him to sustain effort throughout the game, covering wide areas effectively.
Speed and Recovery Ability: Demonstrates exceptional speed and is quick to recover, relying on his pace to track back and close down attackers effectively.
Mental Evaluation:
Offensive/Defensive Mindset: Lucas is offensively minded yet maintains strong defensive awareness. His approach is balanced, with a slight preference for advancing play and supporting attacks.
Courage and Aggression: Shows courage in tackling and aggressive pressing, which is particularly effective in breaking up opposition plays.
Determination and Teamwork: A high level of determination and commitment to teamwork are evident in his play style. He consistently supports teammates and adapts his position to suit team needs.
Leadership and Communication: While not highly vocal, Lucas demonstrates technical leadership on the pitch by directing play through his positioning and ball movement. He could develop more vocal confidence as he gains experience.
Conclusion:
Lucas Jetten is a skilled, creative fullback with a strong attacking mentality, effective ball-handling skills, and sound defensive instincts. He combines speed, agility, and tactical awareness, making him valuable in both build-up play and defensive situations. Improving his decision-making in the final third and adding variety to his passing would further elevate his offensive contributions. This profile is highly requested now and valuable, and he is very likely to make his debut this season.