Raul Kumar
Country: Croatia
Date of birth: 06/02/2008 (15 years old)
Place of birth: Pula (Croatia)
Height: 189cm
Youth career: NK Istra 1961
Current club: NK Istra 1961
Squad number: —
Current national team: Croatia U-16
Position: central defender
Preferred foot: right
Market value (by transfermarkt.de): —
Tournaments participated in: —
Contract until: 30.06.2026
Player’s agent: Nikola Gaćeša
Transfer rumours: —
Similar type of player: Rio Ferdinand
Strengths:
– anticipation 
– aerial duels
– passing
– determination
– positioning 
– technique
To improve:
– his proactive style of defending may be a little bit too risky sometimes, needs to find the right balance in on and against the ball actions, which will surely come with age and experience
– needs to work hard to keep developing his physical and motor abilities
Style of play:
– complete, elegant, and dominant centre-back
– tall (will probably grow a few centimeters more) and lanky at the moment, but with the right work in the gym, he can develop extremely well physically in the coming years
– comfortable to play as a RCB & LCB in a four-man defensive line
– decent top speed and agility for a player of his size
– perfect mix of a pure defender and ball-playing centre-back
– prefers an active style of defending by getting into challenges and playing close to/pressing opponents
– likes to maraud forward with the ball at his feet and assess options on the move
– elegant on the ball with an excellent technique and passing skills at all distances
– great composure and retention skills under pressure/press-resistant player
– known for his good timing, quick reactions, and understanding of the game
– extremely dominant in the air
– indirect set piece threat
– positively aggressive, usually plays clean, and doesn’t get booked often
– mature, concentrated, determined, and committed player/potential leader of the defensive line
Kumar leaves the line, anticipates the play, and intercepts the ball.
Kumar marauds with the ball forward and plays a superb line-breaking pass.
Kumar stops a dangerous counter-attack with a perfectly timed standing tackle.
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 for 22 January 2024):
No senior team appearances yet.
Description:
Raul Kumar is a product of the Istra 1961 youth academy – a very good youth system that had many interesting centre-backs in recent years such as Jakov Medić, Mauro Perković, and Rocco Žiković. Raul is considered to be one of the most talented players of his generation in Croatia. He is also a regular Croatian youth international and currently he’s a member of the U-16 setup.
Quotes:
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Football Talent Scout potential rating:
First team material in a top European league.
Links: