Nathan De Cat
Country: Belgium
Date of birth: 19/07/2008 (15 years old)
Place of birth: Belgium
Height: —
Youth career: KV Mechelen, RSC Anderlecht (since 2018)
Current club: RSC Anderlecht
Squad number: —
Current national team: Belgium U-17
Position: defensive midfielder, central midfielder
Preferred foot: right
Market value (by transfermarkt.de): —
Tournaments participated in: 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualification elite round (3/0)
Contract until: 30.06.2025
Player’s agent: unknown
Transfer rumours: unknown
Similar type of player: Mark van Bommel
Strengths:
– passing 
– tackling
– physicality 
– work rate
– positioning
– technique 
– vision
– composure
– football IQ
– maturity
To improve:
– pace and general explosivity
– not the most creative asset and very low goal threat in the final third
Style of play:
– holding midfielder
– tall player with a good body mass ratio, who should develop very well physically in the coming years
– functions best when placed at the base of a midfield three
– mature and intelligent player with an excellent ability to read the game
– good composure on the ball and above-average passing skills at all distances
– doesn’t like to take the unnecessary risk on the ball, likes to play it simple and transport the ball to more creative teammates as soon as possible
– consistent and hardworking player, who protects the backline, makes many important tackles and interceptions thanks to his anticipation, positioning, and tenacity
– likes to get into challenges, pressing opponents, and anticipating their moves
– positively aggressive and combative in duels
– committed, courageous, and willing to sacrifice
– his long-reaching legs are very helpful when tackling and recovering from mistakes
– strong player who knows how to use his body to gain advantage
De Cat shows himself available, stays calm under heavy pressure, and plays a very good ball to the wing.
De Cat wins the ball back, makes an instant decision, and plays a superb long-range diagonal.
De Cat reads the game perfectly and cuts a very dangerous pass.
Heatmap by Wyscout:
He is best suited to playing as:
Defensive midfielder in 4-3-3.
Video:
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Achievements:
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League summary (as for 14 May 2024):
Challenger Pro League 2023/2024 (ongoing): 10 games/0 goals (RSCA Futures)
Description:
Nathan De Cat joined the excellent Anderlecht youth academy at the age of 10. He is part of an exciting generation of Belgian players born in 2008 which includes, among others Jorthy Mokio, Jessi Da Silva, Noah Fernandez, Jeremy Kandje Mbambi, Gassimou Sylla, and Youssef Hamdaoui. Nathan made his professional debut for RSCA Futures, the Anderlecht reserve team, on 2 February 2024 in a league fixture against SL16 FC – at the age of 15 years, 4 months and 10 days he became the second youngest player ever in Belgian professional football, just after Jessi Da Silva. He is also a regular international for Belgium – he started at the U-15 level and now he is the youngest member of the U-17 setup.
Quotes:
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Football Talent Scout potential rating:
8,5/10 
First team material in a top European club.
Links:
One of the most interesting talents in Neerpede (RSCA Academy), especially because of his physical profile. Normally the youngsters who break through at Anderlecht are small creative midfielders: Verschaeren, Stroeykens, Tielemans and so on.