Chuki
Full name: Iván San José Cantalejo
Country: Spain
Date of birth: 28/04/2004 (17 years old)
Place of birth: Valladolid (Spain)
Height: —
Youth career: Real Valladolid
Current club: Real Valladolid
Squad number: 30
Current national team: Spain U-18
Position: attacking midfielder, winger
Preferred foot: left
Market value (by transfermarkt.de): 250.000 €
Tournaments participated in: Lafarge Foot Avenir 2021
Contract until: 30.06.2024
Player’s agent: unknown
Transfer rumours: —
Similar type of player: Juan Mata
Strengths:
– pace 
– passing
– vision
– creativity
– technique
– ball control
– agility
– flair
– dribbling 
– movement
– long shots
Weaknesses:
– physical strength/doesn’t feel comfortable in contact situations
– aerial duels
– operating with his right weaker foot
– tries to be active in the defensive phase but he’s not effective enough
Style of play:
– advanced playmaker
– likes to be fielded in a free role as an attacking midfielder, where he is given space to roam the pitch
– creative player with very good technical ability, 1vs1 short-dribbling skills, close ball control, fast direction shifts in possession, and vision to make through passes to the teammates providing dynamism to the team’s last offensive third plays
– player that always tries to find a vertical option in his game, so he is very capable of pushing his team forward to finishing positions
– highly technical and creative player
– excellent balance, footwork, coordination, and changes of pace
– likes to dribble
– likes to make quick first touch combinations with his teammates
– known for his “quick feet”, mobility, and close control
– holds very good skill, pace, and low center of gravity
– creative at his off-the-ball movements, and likes to find the best space to receive the ball with good timings, linking up the team’s midfield and attack
– very strong in 1v1 situations, unpredictable, and very confident of his skills
– displays a natural technique to take fast decisions in tight spaces/press-resistant player
– often makes surging runs into the penalty box
– extremely dangerous on the counter thanks to his pace and acceleration
– capable of shooting on-target goals from great distances
– gets fouled often
– all-action and energetic
– avoids using his right weaker foot
– set-piece specialist
Chuki makes a good run through the middle and provides a very intelligent pass to create a big chance for his teammate.
Chuki receives the ball in the edge of the penalty area, makes a quick decision, and scores with a stunning shot.
Heatmap by Wyscout:
He is best suited to playing as:
Attacking midfielder in 4-2-3-1.
Video:
Achievements:
Lafarge Foot Avenir 2021 winner with Spain.
League summary (as for 30 January 2022):
Primera División RFEF 2021/2022 (ongoing): 8 games/2 goals (Real Valladolid B)
Description:
Chuki is considered to be the most talented Real Valladolid academy player in many years. He is a part of an extremely talented generation of Spanish players born in 2004 which includes, among others Gavi, Fabián Luzzi, Ilias Akhomach, Álvaro Bastida, Rafael Obrador, Julen Jon Guerrero, Fabio Blanco, Diego Almeida, and Aleix Garrido. Chuki made his professional debut for Real Valladolid B on 28 August 2021 in a Spanish third division fixture against SD Logroñés.
Quotes:
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Football Talent Scout potential rating:
First team material in a top European club.
Links: