Felipe Loyola: The Chilean Viking by Panagiwths Kotths
| Name: Felipe Loyola | Age: 23 ( 2000 ) | Club: Huachipato |
| Position: RB-CB | Foot: Right | Height: 1,77 m |
Technical
Felipe is a player who can give you several solutions in different positions so this is positive. Playing mostly as a RB-RWB, RCB or even as an CDM. Comfortable with the ball at his feet, mostly looking for passes with his stronger right foot which but sometimes he attempts to make short passes with his left foot but not so comfortable at doing that. He’s looking for long balls for his wingers or in the penalty area. In aerial duels, the player seems to be several times at a disadvantage and quite vulnerable. I wouldn’t say that his strong point is there but I can say that he is quite good at timing when he jumps to claim the ball. He is not a player who will create enough chances for you, but he is a team player which means he will help his teammates in various situations. Technically, not the best but he is a key player in the final third especially in link ups, he is able to get past his opponents with his close technique with the ball and quite good in 1-2 combination passes as well. Attempts to make some crosses as a right back during overlaps or passes from any ranges.
Physical
An aggressive player with great physical attributes, a team and tireless player who is willing to take many risks on his own, cover long distances as well and come back to contribute defensively even if he is not in the right position. In ground duels and 1v1 situations, sometimes he seems lost especially if his opponent is someone who is good technically. Able to put pressure on his opponents, marking them roughly to close them down but not always he is able to steal the ball from his opponents. Physically appears to be robust and despite that, he’s got a quite good pace and acceleration but his mobility is not that good while coming back or 1v1 defending. A player who can cover several kilometers in a match, is strong in duels and quite aggressive.
Tactical
In the tactical part, he is a player who mainly likes to play in quite wide positions that give him relative individual freedom and the ability to help in the team’s build-up. It’s a relative role like Jan Vertonghen’s when Mourinho was at Tottenham and he played as a left back in some games. He is able to cover the positions of RCB-RWB at the same time out/in possession and to help his teammates.
He is also capable of being able to go with or without the ball in the midfield and help his teammates there too but not that often. An intelligent player, he understands when to drop back to help the team’s defensive function but also to take individual risks and responsibilities where appropriate. When his team has the ball, this player can play as the passer behind the midfielders or already on the flanks on a high line to wait for some long balls. He has this mentality of having to distract the opponent or steal the ball directly from him so he is useful in both overlaps and underlaps although he doesn’t have the best dribbling ability but he is comfortable trying to get past an opponent . He will be useful for teams that play with 3 central defenders when in possession or 5 at the back when not, so he can cover 2 different positions.
Psychological Phase
Felipe is quite cool when his team has possession and is quite adept at maintaining that possession and looking for some long balls or some progressive runs with the ball at his feet on his own. When he is under pressure or in tight spaces, then he becomes quite clumsy in his movement and aggressive with his opponents. He is not that calm when his opponent is better technically and a pacy one so he will have some troubles in 1v1 situations or when his opponent is able to hold up the ball for a long time, then he will mess it up. In general, he is aware of what he’s doing and he is capable making quick decisions on the counter or during the build up and he’s also good on link-ups.
His heatmap by Wyscout:
Strengths:
- Aggression
- Stamina
- Natural Fitness
- Body strength & balance
- Link-ups
- Versatility
- Heading Ability
- Tackling
- Marking
- Acceleration
- Team Player
- Positioning
- Short passes
- Athleticism
Summary:
Felipe in general is a player who is not yet ready to play in one of the top 5 leagues right now although he could easily play for a team in the top 9 leagues. A player who will give you an insurance at some important moments during the match, a player who feels comfortable with the ball at his feet as well and will give you several solutions regularly due to his flexibility to play in different positions. An aggressive player who is more comfortable playing as an RCB-RWB in my opinion, a player who will be a key part during the build up and in the final third as well and definitely will cover some extra km for his team and contribute defensively.
Potential Rating: 7.5/10 [ TOP 7/9 leagues at the moment ]