THE 360 VIEW: MARCUS MIKHAIL
Introduction
Marcus Mikhail, a dynamic left back in Norrby IF, have proven himself as a top left back in the Swedish third division. The 23 year old who has a youth football background in the Brommapojkarna and Djurgården academy, have had an injury-free season and earned the trust from his manager to complete the season as a starter in the left back position. Over the past few seasons, Marcus has had short spells in both Oskarshamn and IFK Haninge in the same level. His left-footed finesse and unique flair to his game have led to a season that should have opened the eyes of several.
Born : 2000
Club: Norrby IF
Position: Left back/Left wing back
Height: 178 cm
Weight: 70 kg
Best foot: Left
- Norrby – BK Olympic, 01/05/23
- Åtvidaberg – Norrby, 03/06/23
- Norrby – Tvååker, 10/06/23
- Lunds – Norrby, 17/06/23
- Norrby – Ahlafors, 21/08/23
The depth of this scouting report is limited to a specific level and extent, so that as many people as possible, regardless the role in football (player, coach, supporter etc.) one have, one could follow and comprehend the content.
Besides solid industry knowledge and network of contacts, following games have been scouted through video to watch this specific player.
Visuals and algorithms are designed and programmed from scratch by the writer of this report, Simon Gebrenegus. The raw data is supplied from Playmaker AI.
The numbers are from 21 rounds in the Swedish third-tier.
Role in team & short team analysis
Within the Norrby setup, the team thrives on an attacking style that heavily utilizes the wings. Their strategy involves the wingbacks advancing forward, providing crucial support to the technical wingers, creating overloads and opportunities from wide areas. Marcus Mikhail plays a pivotal role in this system, serving as one of the primary creators from the wings.
His proficiency in delivering crosses and passes to the final third from the outer corridor adds a significant dimension to Norrby’s attacking play. Marcus possesses a high-level precision when striking the ball during crosses, enabling him to consistently deliver quality service into the box from wide, and by occupying the wide spaces throughout the whole field, he enables a unique threat for his team. Below, his pass receptions and defensive actions are visualized. As explained before, the wide outer corridor position is evident here, and we see defensive actions in spaces where regular left back in a four-back-line executes.
Technical & in-possession attributes
Marcus Mikhail boasts a diverse set of technical skills that significantly impact his play from the left-back position. His ability to initiate attacks right from his own half is notable, often showcasing precision and vision through long-range passes. This capability not only relieves pressure from the defense but also jump-starts Norrby’s offensive movements from deep positions.
Marcus also shines in his proficiency with crossing from wide areas. His high-quality delivery into the box, coupled with an exceptional striking ability, makes him a weapon in Norrby’s attacking play. His crosses not only pose threats to opposition defenses but also provides opportunities for his teammates to goal-scoring chances.
Moreover, his ability to retain the ball and dictate play introduces a new dimension to the team’s possession play. With Marcus orchestrating from the left flank, Norrby gains a distinct advantage in creating opportunities and launching attacks that often catch opposing teams off guard.
Below his pass map is visualized, with the weaker white lines showing his passes, the golden lines his key passes, and the pink lines his assists. Note that the last game of Norrby is still not in the data, where he assisted another goal.
A key pass refers to a pass made by a player that directly leads to a goal-scoring opportunity or a shot for their team.
The amount of key passes coming from crosses is evident here, and the numbers are impressive for a wing back. He is better than 97% of the wingbacks when coming to creating chances, and better than 95% in passing into the box, which illustrates his ability to getting the ball into the most dangerous areas.
Below is a video compilation of this part of his game.
Marcus Mikhail’s proficiency extends beyond his abilities as a good passer; he also poses a threat with his long-distance shots. When arriving in more central positions, he is not afraid of using his left foot to score.
A visual representation of his shots below illustrates Marcus’s preference for long-distance attempts, particularly from areas just outside the penalty box. The visualization showcases the frequency and concentration of his shots, with a stronger blue color indicating the zones where he prefer to unleash his shots
His ability to strike the ball accurately and with power from distance makes him a constant threat to the opposition, where four goals is decent for a wingback. Additionally, Marcus’s capacity to also transition into more central positions showcases a sign of flexibility, where an inverted left back position could also fit this type of player. The first half of the video below showcases his shots from long-distance.
Defensive profile
Marcus Mikhail’s defensive style is defined by his interceptions and understanding of the game, rather than relying on sheer physicality. He approaches defensive situations with patience, prioritizing positioning and timing over engaging in physical battles. In one-on-one scenarios, Marcus assess the situation and waits for the moment to execute the tackle. Rather than out-run his winger, he also likes coming in with a sliding tackle to win the ball back.
Marcus showcases an impressive aerial game despite not being the most physically imposing player. His well-timed vertical jumps allow him to compete admirably in aerial duels, outperforming many other wingbacks in the league in these metrics.
A visualization of defensive metrics highlights Marcus’s strengths, particularly in interceptions, showcasing his profound understanding of the game. Additionally, his competence in aerial duels stands out prominently, engaging in the most, and also possessing a high win rate, placing him among the league’s top performers in this aspect.
- Percentile rate – if the plot shows 93 for a metric, it means that this player is better than 93% of players in his position, and in his league, in this specific metric.
- Possession Adjusted Stats (pAdj) are metrics that are adjusted or normalized based on a team’s or player’s possession. It takes into account the fact that teams with higher possession tend to have less opportunities to execute defensive actions.
- Expected Threat (xT) is a statistical metric to measure the potential danger or threat that a player poses to the opposing team’s defense. We use the average positive xT of a player.
- per 90 minutes – every metric is calculated per 90 minutes (or per game) for each player. By doing this, a player that has played 15 games can still average more dribbles per game than a player who has played 25 games.
The low tackle win rate compared to the other wingbacks is something that could be worth looking into, and is something that lowers his overall defensive metrics. However, in the video below we see some of his successful sliding tackles.
Thoughts & Conclusion
In summary, Marcus Mikhail is the definition of the modern left-back, showcasing an exceptional array of offensive skills that distinguish him as a different force on the left flank this season. His on-the-ball mastery stands as the cornerstone of his game, elevating his impact on the field and setting him apart.
While his defensive contributions are commendable, it is Marcus’s ability to serve as an offensive catalyst that truly defines his role within the team. His knack for transforming the game’s tempo and direction through his on-the-ball skills remains unmatched.
Marcus’s impact extends beyond mere statistics; his ability to dictate play, orchestrate attacks, and unlock defenses which also adds a dimension of unpredictability for opponents.
In conclusion, Marcus Mikhail is a standout player for Norrby IF. His exceptional abilities as a creative force and playmaker from the left position not only benefit the current team but also hint at his potential to excel further in higher levels of competition where his game could undoubtedly flourish.
Below we see an overall pizza plot on his numbers compared to the rest of the wingbacks in the league. The domination in many different metrics is clear.
- Percentile rate – if the plot shows 93 for a metric, it means that this player is better than 93% of players in his position, and in his league, in this specific metric.
- Possession Adjusted Stats (pAdj) are metrics that are adjusted or normalized based on a team’s or player’s possession. It takes into account the fact that teams with higher possession tend to have less opportunities to execute defensive actions.
- Expected Threat (xT) is a statistical metric to measure the potential danger or threat that a player poses to the opposing team’s defense. We use the average positive xT of a player.
- per 90 minutes – every metric is calculated per 90 minutes (or per game) for each player. By doing this, a player that has played 15 games can still average more dribbles per game than a player who has played 25 games.
A key pass refers to a pass made by a player that directly leads to a goal-scoring opportunity or a shot for their team.
When a player receives the ball and then moves it;
- at least 15 meters closer to opponent goal if starting and finishing points are in own half
- at least 10 meters closer to opponent goal if starting and finishing points are in different field halves
- at least 5 meters closer to opponent goal if starting and finishing points are in opponent half