Christos Zafeiris
Country: Norway/Greece
Date of birth: 23/02/2003 (19 years old)
Place of birth: Athens (Greece)
Height: 174cm
Youth career: Fornebu, Lillestrøm, Fjellhamar, Vålerenga, Grorud, Haugesund (since 2021)
Current club: Haugesund
Squad number: 10
Current national team: Norway U-19
Position: defensive midfielder, central midfielder, attacking midfielder
Preferred foot: right
Market value (by transfermarkt.de): 600.000 €
Tournaments participated in: 2022 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification elite round (2/1)
Contract until: 31.12.2025
Player’s agent: First Access Sports
Transfer rumours: —
Similar type of player: Nicolò Barella
Strengths:
– pace 
– passing
– vision
– work rate
– tackling
– determination
– tenacity
– agility
– technique 
To improve:
– better shooting skills would be a nice addition to his skillset
– first touch mistakes/concentration balance during matches
Style of play:
– roaming playmaker/box-to-box midfielder
– player with a diminutive figure with a stocky build and good physical strength who’s not afraid and feels quite comfortable in contact situations and wins many physical challenges
– versatile player who can play multiple positions and roles in midfield
– possesses many qualities of a ball-winning midfielder
– excellent pace, agility, and coordination
– perfect player for a high intensity and pressing team
– good range of passing at all distances
– his energy and anticipation sense enable him to cover a lot of ground, press opponents, and start attacks after winning back possession
– good composure and retention skills under pressure
– mobile player who moves intelligently between the lines, constantly asks for the ball and often is an additional passing option
– very good passer who takes a major part in the build-up and is able to provide superb through balls in the final third
– extremely difficult to knock off the ball thanks to his low centre of gravity, ability to shield the ball, and ball control
– good spatial awareness and ability to read the game
– able to produce powerful and dangerous runs up field on the counter attack
– impacts the game at both the ends of the pitch
– good anticipation sense and positioning allow him to provide many key interceptions and tackles for his team
– combative, fearless, and good at timing tackles
– courageous, charismatic, and willing to sacrifice
– impressive engine and stamina
– excellent recovery pace and determination when tracking back
– operates comfortably with his left weaker foot
– good direct and indirect set-piece taker
Zafeiris creates a big chance with a superb lobbed through ball.
Zafeiris makes a quick one-two with his teammate and scores with a beautiful curler.
Heatmap by Wyscout:
He is best suited to playing as:
Central midfielder in 4-3-3.
Video:
Achievements:
—
League summary (as for 16 August 2022):
1. divisjon 2020: 20 games/0 goals (Grorud)
1. divisjon 2021: 27 games/2 goals (Grorud)
Eliteserien 2022 (ongoing): 18 games/1 goal (Haugesund)
Description:
Christos Zafeiris was born in Athens but moved to Norway at the age of 9. After impressing in the Norwegian second tier for Grorud, he moved to Haugesund and was simultaneously loaned back to Grorud for the rest of the 2021 season. He made his Eliteserien debut on 3 April 2022 in a 3–1 loss against Sandefjord. He has been a youth Norwegian international for many years – starting at U-15 all the way through U-19.
Quotes:
‘I like having the ball at my feet and being a playmaker. Some of my strengths are pace, starting the attacks and being fearless and tough in the defensive phase.’
(Christos Zafeiris)
Football Talent Scout potential rating:
8/10 
First team material in a top European league.
Links: