YAN COUTO — Player Analysis
Yan Couto is another promising right back in Brazil’s new generation, alongside players such as Vanderson (on whom I wrote a report here), Calegari and versatile Gabriel Menino. Yan started his career in his hometown at Coritiba FC, where he collected frequent youth caps at various levels, and in 2020 was sold to Manchester City, soon to be loaned out to another member of the City Football Group, Girona FC, for the 2020/21 season at the Spanish second division. The U17 World Cup winner left Brazil last year with just two first team appearances with his boyhood club, but has since then become a starter in Spain. In this piece I analyse his game.
Girona normally play in a 3–5–2 / 5–3–2 system, with Yan Couto at the right wing-back position, but they have also deployed a back four a few times this season, moving Yan to right-back. These changes don’t affect his involvement very much though. In the build up phase GFC tend to form a 3–1–4–2 structure, where Couto finds himself high up the pitch and wide open. This is also the common shape with back four systems, as the left back or one of the midfielders joins the centre-back to create this pattern.
He does not get much involved during buildup, seeing more action in the final third, much like an actual winger. When facing some higher lines, Yan likes to look for some runs into the space behind the defense and does the same during counterattacks, providing good options in transition. Mostly though, he participates wide in the attacking third, where his superb technical abilities can shine. Still, when the ball does come to him, he is capable of offering some nice ball progression down the flank, and tends to do so, always looking to get the ball forward, as underlined by his 2.13 progressive runs and 10.36 progressive passes per 90 in the Segunda División.
Couto, maybe unexpectedly considering his position and area of influence, is not a frequent crosser. He averages just 3.63 crosses per 90, which makes him the 32nd among all right-backs, or wing-backs, in the league, albeit with a fairly high accuracy of 41.46%. His main contribution to the attacking threat comes from 1v1 situations down the flank, as he tends to try to beat his marker and get into the box, looking to provide some assists, or eventually shoot himself. Yan averages 4.69 dribbles and 8.68 offensive duels per 90, figures that put him in the top 5 among players of his position in the league and are boosted by above average success rates of 66.04% and 54.08% respectively. He is also capable of shielding the ball quite well, despite his size. Furthermore, he tends to get into the box when the ball is on the opposite flank, offering options at the far post, and helping him average 0.62 shots per 90. A deficiency here is that he often misplaces passes, failing to create as many opportunities as he could. As he improves, his 0.53 shot assists per 90 should increase.
Yan is not a very proactive defender, not helped by his tiny frame of 168 cm and 62kg, but shows good anticipation and positioning, giving some fair contribution in the defensive phase. However, he can be a bit idle on transitions, often lingering too long before tracking back or giving up on it. A point where he must improve.
Still only 18, but already establishing himself in Spain, Yan Couto stands out for his technical prowess and, despite having some points to improve, seems to have a bright future ahead of him. It remains to be seen if he is going to join Manchester City’s squad next season or be loaned out again, which is more likely, but he has the potential to be a good asset to whoever gets him. Regularly called up to the Brazilian youth teams, it may not be long before he gets his chances with the first team.
Lucas Barth // barthlucast@gmail.com
