Baba Scouted is creating heroes.
This week we underwent an emotional moment at the BabaGol HQ. Former BabaScouted prospect, Moises Caicedo, signed for Brighton & Hove Albion. I chose to focus on Caicedo when he had only six senior-level appearances, had no real hype around him in Ecuador, and had no value in Transfermarkt. Less than a year (and a pandemic) after — the kid is in the Premier League.
Let’s see where this week’s talent will end up.
Fabián Ángel
Age: 20
Club: Junior (Colombia)
Position: Central Midfielder
Nationality: Colombian
Market Value: 200.000 € (Transfermarkt)
I have only watched a few games of Ángel, so my opinion on him is not well-established yet. Still, there are a few clubs from the old continent that have already been following him. With an impressive youth national teams record, he is young and started the season as an indisputable starter for a club with a very good and experienced squad. His numbers are not bad, especially the over 90% accurate passes he provides, which does not drop too much when passing over distance.
Ángel plays close to the centre-backs and stays behind the ball when it is passed into midfield or further up. He is scanning all the time, aware of his surroundings and showed a wide range of delivery. But other than the occasional accurate long ball to wide areas, he was mainly (very) effective in keeping possession rather than breaking lines going forward. He did show glimpses of ability to do so but seemed to hold back and preferred to play it safe.
He is not too quick, but he's a hard-worker and usually in the right position to defend the space in front of his centre-backs. Ángel offers some aerial cover as well. Aggressive and willing to tackle, he can win the ball back for his side but tends to get into sliding tackles too eagerly at times. The instincts and willingness are there, but better decision making is needed.
Ángel is a tidy midfielder with a strong character and some good skills in and off possession, who I believe will do well playing in the local league's highest level. As most of his shortcomings should improve with experience, I think he could make it into higher levels.
