Matteo Palma
Country: Germany/Italy
Date of birth: 13/03/2008 (16 years old)
Place of birth: Berlin (Germany)
Height: 194cm
Youth career: Hertha, Udinese (since 2022)
Current club: Udinese
Squad number: 16
Current national team: Germany U-17
Position: central defender, right-back
Preferred foot: right
Market value (by transfermarkt.de): 1M€
Tournaments participated in: —
Contract until: 30.06.2027
Player’s agent: unknown
Transfer rumours: —
Similar type of player: Niklas Süle/Nikola Milenković
Strengths:
– anticipation 
– positioning
– aerial duels
– physicality
– passing 
– technique
– tackling
To improve:
– needs to show slightly more composure and better decision-making on the ball under pressure
Style of play:
– complete, dominant, and elegant centre-back
– tall and very strong for his age/should develop extremely well physically in the coming years
– tactically astute and technically capable of playing in various tactical systems
– suitable to play as a RCB in a three-man line or even right-back if needed
– decent top speed and agility for a player of his size, which helps him to be efficient in wide areas
– likes an active style of defending by getting into challenges and pressing opponents
– often leaves the line and tries to anticipate the play and outpace his opponents/likes high-risk, high-reward playstyle
– superb passing skills at all distances
– good confidence in possession, understanding of the game, and an above-average technical capacity
– decent ball carrier, who likes to maraud forward and assess options on the move
– concentrated, committed, and positively aggressive in duels
– often cuts or intercepts passes and crosses near or inside his penalty area thanks to his ability to read the game, anticipation, and positioning
– knows how to use his upper-body strength in challenges/wins most of the physical duels
– his long-reaching legs are incredibly effective when it comes to tackling and recovering from mistakes
– extremely dominant in the air
– operates comfortably with his weaker left foot
– very accomplished and mature for his age/potential leader of the defensive line
Palma showcases excellent reading of the game, anticipates the play, and makes an important interception.
Palma remains focused and makes a crucial clearance.
Palma delivers an excellent long-range diagonal pass to his overlapping full-back.
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 of 30 January 2025):
No senior team appearances yet.
Description:
Matteo Palma joined Udinese’s youth academy from Hertha in 2022 and has since established himself as one of the most promising U-17 center-backs in Europe. He made his senior debut on September 25, 2024, in a Coppa Italia match against Salernitana. Although he initially represented Italy at the U-15 level, he now serves as a key figure in Germany’s U-17 setup.
Quotes:
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Football Talent Scout potential rating:
9/10 
Player has the potential to become a key player in a top European club.
Links: