Nantes yOUNG Left-Baclk Shining in Ligue 1
In latest instances Ligue 1 has turn out to be the brand new breeding floor for kids. Rennes’ Loum Tchaouna, Lyon’s defensive star Castello Lukeba, and Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel are simply a number of the children to come back out of the French league in recent times. There are others as effectively, akin to PSG’s 17-year-old sensation Warren Zaire-Emery, and Rennes’ Arnaud Kalimuendo. And now the newest identify to hitch the listing is Nantes left-back Quentin Merlin.
The 20-year-old has established himself as an integral a part of the Nantes squad, making them a defence-heavy facet. Merlin was already given his debut for the senior facet final season however has come to his personal this season.
Merlin has already turn out to be the most effective younger gamers within the league and has additionally turn out to be a necessary participant within the youth set-up of France’s nationwide youth group. His rise has already been seen by a number of golf equipment who’re circling round to signal him. Nevertheless, a tear in his abductor’s muscle has meant he has not performed for the group since mid-Janaury.
However who’s Quentin Merlin, and the way good is he?
How good is Quentin Merlin?
Quentin Merlin was born in Nantes on Might 16, 2002, and began his footballing journey with native facet FC Goelands Sanmaritains in 2008. After spending 4 years on the membership, he obtained the large call-up from Nantes, the most important membership within the area. Nevertheless, solely a yr later left for Pornic Foot.
His stint on the membership lasted solely two years as he returned to Nantes in 2015t and has remained there ever since. After his return to the membership, he spent 5 years within the youth system earlier than he was lastly promoted to the Nantes’ reserve group within the 2020-21 season. Merlin would make seven appearances offering one help. These performances prompted Raymond Domenech to offer him a senior group debut within the Coupe de France towards Lens on February 10, 2021.
From the 2021-22 season, he was promoted full-time to the senior squad. He made a complete of 33 appearances that season and helped Nantes end within the prime half of the desk. And the development has continued this season as Merlin has turn out to be one of many first names on the group sheets.
LOOK OUT FOR – Quentin Merlin is a extremely thrilling prospect. The 20yo can play wherever throughout the left hand facet & has an exquisite left foot. 2 gls / 3 ass in 28 video games in his debut season are spectacular stats. Is likely to be a bit uncooked defensively however he’s consistently studying. pic.twitter.com/YNkKn3YLx8
— Le Classique (@LeClassiquePod) July 30, 2022
Quentin Merlin stats
Within the 2021-22 season, Merlin scored two objectives and supplied three assists. Three of his assists additionally got here in single objective distinction, which helped his group win 5 factors. This season he continued his development, however an premature harm has ensured that he hasn’t performed a single recreation within the final two months.
Nevertheless, regardless of that, his stats are spectacular. In accordance with Soccerment, he ranks eleventh within the league for variety of interceptions and ninth by way of profitable crosses in Ligue 1.
Merlin can be very adept at carrying the ball ahead. In accordance with stats from fbref, the Frenchman averages 47.42 carries per 90 minutes among the many prime eight percentile of fullbacks.
Merlin averages 36.95 touches in the midst of the pitch, which reveals he’s additionally spectacular whereas contributing to the assault. That is supported by the truth that he averages 3.18 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes among the many prime ten percentile of fullbacks.
Quentin Merlin made the U21 prime 3 for many possibilities created in 2022. You don’t want stats to know what a left foot he has. Cresswell’s long run alternative is correct right here pic.twitter.com/UucwG1wFcn
— Mahfuz🤙🏽 (@MahfuzCOYI16) January 2, 2023
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Quentin Merlin scout report
Quentin Merlin has performed as a midfielder in his early days, which is why he’s so good going ahead. Taking part in in the midst of the park has additionally given him a superb imaginative and prescient that enables him to play line-breaking passes. This can be a trait that’s not widespread amongst fullbacks his age.
Merlin can be a menace as quickly as he will get into the attacking third from the wings. His good passing, crossing offers him a number of choices to get the ball ahead. Whereas he often goes for the choice of crossing the ball, Merlin can even play a fast one-two along with his winger close to the boundary of the wing and the left inside channel to maneuver the ball ahead.
Nevertheless, there are weaknesses in Merlin’s recreation, primarily his decision-making within the closing third. As well as, his defending additionally wants a number of work. Merlin has been common by way of profitable duels, be it floor or aerial. He’s additionally vulnerable to counterattacks, and his defensive positioning, most of the time, leaves his group wanting numbers.
Quentin Merlin switch information
Nantes are a mid-table Ligue 1 facet which suggests if Quentin Merlin continues his growth, he’s certain to depart the membership sooner relatively than later. The Frenchman has proven glimpses of changing into a ok left-back to sometime play for a prime membership.
We should additionally not neglect that Merlin is just 20 years previous and nonetheless has a number of years left earlier than he hits his peak. And if he manages to try this, anticipate him to turn out to be one other participant within the French golden technology.
