Tudor Mendel-Idowu: Scouting Report by Nene Afadzinu
AGE: 18
HEIGHT: 5’11”
WEIGHT: 65 KG
FOOT: LEFT
CLUB: RSC ANDERLECHT
NATIONALITY: ENGLISH/NIGERIAN
Flamboyant winger. Predominantly left footed and rarely uses his right foot. Above average height for his position. Slim and mobile. Has good pace and a quick burst of acceleration.
Excellent ball control and a silky first touch. Has mesmeric close control and can weave past multiple challenges with his dribbling and upper-body strength. Has an arsenal of tricks he uses to bamboozle his defender 1v1. Is relentless in the dribble, constantly attacking his fullback. Will take on his man repeatedly and gets into the head of his opponents, drawing fouls. Loves to dribble as much as he can but will find a teammate in a better position. Can get caught out overdribbling on occasion. Uses his footwork to draw multiple defenders to himself before penetrating into the vacated space with a pass or a dribble. Is an incisive passer and can break defensive lines with well-weighted forward passes to teammates. Crisp short passer and can linkup play effectively. Has shown he has the vision and technique to see and execute long passes to teammates. Tries several flamboyant passes. Likes to cut in on his left foot and get shots off in and around the box. Often aims to whip his strikes across the keeper into the far corner. Excellent crosser and can deliver pinpoint balls to his teammates from either flank. More of a playmaker than a finisher.
Often plays as the right winger in a 433. Drops deep to receive possession before progressing it with his ball carrying. Makes himself available to receive possession and calls for the ball. Creates separation from the defender with his movement before receiving the ball. Likes to stay wide but will occasionally drift into the half-space to allow his fullback to overlap. Likes to receive the ball to feet. Has shown he has the movement to beat the offside trap and get in behind the defence. Good positioning, anticipation, and reaction speed to get on the end of crosses and loose balls in the box.
Tracks back often to help his team defend. Is a good tackler, reading his opponent well and knowing when to put a foot in. Should be contesting a lot more aerial duels given his height. Has good strength and uses it to shield the ball effectively. Excellent anticipation and reading of the game helps him to intercept the ball often and regain possession for his side.
Plays the game with la joie de vivre. Confident in possession. Quite vocal. Decision making can be erratic but he tends to pick the right option more often than not.
Tudor leaves one defender on the floor and skips past a second before progressing with the ball.
Tudor draws the defenders to him with his clever footwork before locating his teammate in the vacated space.
Tudor reads the flight of the ball and makes the interception after pressing his opponent into a turnover.
PLAYER MATRIX
| TECHNICAL ABILITY | (0-10) |
| Ball Control | 9 |
| Attacking Ability | 8 |
| Defending Ability | 8 |
| Heading | 4 |
| Long Passing | 8 |
| Short Passing | 10 |
| Right-Footed Passing | 7 |
| Left-Footed Passing | 10 |
| Finishing | 7 |
| Right-Footed Shooting | 4 |
| Left-Footed Shooting | 8 |
| Running With The Ball | 10 |
| Attacking 1v1 | 10 |
| Crossing | 10 |
| TOTAL | 113/140 |
| TACTICAL ABILITY | (0-10) |
| Vision | 9 |
| Awareness | 9 |
| Movement Off The Ball | 7 |
| Decision Making | 7 |
| TOTAL | 32/40 |
| ATHLETIC ABILITY | (0-10) |
| Pace | 8 |
| Sharpness | 10 |
| Mobility | 10 |
| Body Strength | 7 |
| Work Rate | 10 |
| TOTAL | 45/50 |
| CHARACTER | (0-10) |
| Effort To Win The Ball Back | 10 |
| Bravery – Physical | 8 |
| Bravery – Mental | 10 |
| Energetic | 9 |
| Leadership | 6 |
| Talkative | 8 |
| Competitive | 8 |
| Team Player | 9 |
| TOTAL | 60/80 |
ABILITY = 250/310 = 81%
80 – 89% = Good player in a top league
Tudor has the potential to be a world class player for a top team in the Premier League or La Liga. Needs to work on his weaker foot and aerial ability if he is to exceed his trajected potential and make the step into becoming an elite player.