Nico Williams Scouting Report

Athletic Bilbao: A Unique Club with a Basque-Only Policy

Athletic Bilbao is a fascinating club in the footballing world, known for their unique Basque-only policy. This policy has resulted in the development of exceptional talents within their ranks. The club has reaped the benefits of nurturing and selling these players, contributing to their success. The current Athletic Bilbao team is filled with fan favorites, and one standout player is Nico Williams.

In this comprehensive scouting report, we delve into the talent and potential of Nico Williams. Williams, is rapidly gaining recognition as the next major star. He is also a regular player for the Spanish youth teams and has been linked with a potential big move in the near future.

Early Beginnings

Nico Williams was born on July 12, 2002 in Pamplona, Spain, shares a remarkable journey with some of football's biggest stars. His Ghanaian heritage stems from his parents' escape from the Liberian Civil War before settling in Spain.

Following in his older brother's footsteps, Nico joined the CA Osasuna in 2012, but his time there was short-lived as he soon joined the prestigious youth academy of Athletic Bilbao. Williams quickly ascended through the ranks, spending the 2019-20 season with Bilbao's farm team, Basconia.

Nico Williams made his La Liga debut for Athletic Bilbao in April 2021, playing alongside his brother Inaki. This moment of shared success must have brought immense pride to their family.

On the international stage, Williams made his debut for Spain's U18 team in 2020, leaving an immediate impression. His consistent performances earned him a promotion to the Spain U21 team, where he made his debut in September 2021.

Stats and Style of Play

Williams exhibits an extraordinary level of technical proficiency on the field. His ball control, agility, and dribbling skills are nothing short of exceptional. Whether it's maneuvering through a tight defense or executing precise passes, his technical abilities allow him to stand out among his peers.

Nico Williams' overall game has garnered considerable praise. Playing mainly on the right side of the midfield as an advanced winger or forward, Williams demonstrates exceptional acceleration and can burst past opponents effortlessly. His runs into the final third have caught the attention of spectators, and his teammates trust him with the ball even under pressure.

Williams' progressive carries and touches in the opponent's penalty area place him in the upper percentiles of European players. His dribbling ability is exemplary, with a high success rate that poses a challenge for defenders. Williams also contributes defensively, applying intense pressure and making crucial blocks. His all-around impact on the game is evident, and his pass success ratio of 78% is impressive for a 19-year-old.

Tactical Awareness

One of the key strengths of Nico Williams is his remarkable tactical awareness. He possesses a deep understanding of the game, anticipating plays and making intelligent decisions on the field. His ability to read the game enables him to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates, showcasing his remarkable football intelligence.

Speed and Agility

Williams is known for his lightning-fast speed and agility, making him a formidable force on the pitch. His rapid acceleration and quick footwork allow him to leave defenders in his wake. With his explosive bursts of speed, he can swiftly change directions and outmaneuver opponents, giving him a significant advantage during matches.

Versatility

Another standout attribute of Nico Williams is his versatility. He is capable of playing in various positions, adapting to different roles with ease. Whether deployed as a winger, full-back, or even in a more central position, his adaptability and versatility add immense value to his team's gameplay.

Mental Strength

Beyond his physical prowess, Williams possesses exceptional mental strength. He maintains composure under pressure, demonstrating resilience and determination in challenging situations. His unwavering focus and competitive spirit have propelled him to overcome obstacles and deliver exceptional performances on numerous occasions.

Nico Williams Scouting Report Stats (last 365 days)

• Non-Penalty Goals: 0.20 per 90 (46th percentile)
• Non-Penalty xG: 0.17 per 90 (28th percentile)
• Total Shots: 2.07 per 90 (45th percentile)
• Assists: 0.14 per 90 (31st percentile)
• xAG: 0.22 per 90 (61st percentile)
• npxG + xAG: 0.38 per 90 (48th percentile)
• Shot-Creating Actions: 3.56 per 90 (45th percentile)
• Passes Attempted: 32.23 per 90 (26th percentile)
• Pass Completion %: 66.7% (15th percentile)
• Progressive Passes: 2.71 per 90 (22nd percentile)
• Progressive Carries: 5.90 per 90 (95th percentile)
• Successful Take-Ons: 2.81 per 90 (92nd percentile)
• Touches (Att Pen): 5.02 per 90 (78th percentile)
• Progressive Passes Received: 10.88 per 90 (90th percentile)
• Tackles: 1.05 per 90 (31st percentile)
• Interceptions: 0.27 per 90 (18th percentile)
• Blocks: 1.36 per 90 (80th percentile)
• Clearances: 0.47 per 90 (56th percentile)
• Aerials Won: 0.68 per 90 (70th percentile)
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Player Comparison (Positional Peers in Men's Big 5 Leagues, UCL, UEL)

The above stats are all based on 2,656 minutes played in the last 365 days. Nico Williams has displayed a mixed performance compared to his positional peers. While he has shown strengths in areas such as progressive carries, successful take-ons, progressive passes received, and blocks, there are areas that require improvement.

Nico Williams possesses clear talent and untapped potential, making him a highly regarded prospect. Athletic Bilbao's reputation for nurturing young players aligns perfectly with Williams' development. While his aerial and normal duel success rates are on the rise, further improvement in physicality is essential as he matures. Maintaining possession and improving his ball-retention skills are areas of interest for Tottenham;s coaching staff should Spurs buy him.

Areas for Improvement

1. Finishing: Williams has a relatively low output in terms of non-penalty goals and non-penalty xG. Improving his finishing ability and becoming more clinical in front of goal would enhance his effectiveness as an attacking player.

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3. Passing Accuracy:

4. With a pass completion percentage of 66.7%, Williams could work on improving his passing accuracy. This would contribute to better ball retention and enable him to create more opportunities for his teammates.

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6. Progressive Passing:

7. While Williams excels in progressive carries, his performance in terms of progressive passes is below average. Developing his ability to make incisive passes that advance the play into the attacking third would add another dimension to his game.

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9. Defensive Contributions:

10. Although Williams demonstrates potential in blocks and tackles, his interception rate is relatively low. Enhancing his reading of the game and anticipation skills would enable him to make more interceptions and contribute further defensively.

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12. Aerial Duels:

13. While Williams performs decently in aerial duels, there is room for improvement. Developing his strength and timing in aerial challenges would help him win more duels and provide an added advantage in both attacking and defensive situations.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Nico Williams possesses immense potential and has showcased several strengths, such as progressive carries, successful take-ons, and blocks. However, addressing the areas for improvement mentioned above would help him further elevate his game and become an even more impactful player.

In conclusion, Nico Williams is an extraordinary talent who has already captured the attention of football enthusiasts worldwide. His technical proficiency, tactical awareness, speed, agility, versatility, and mental strength all contribute to his rise as a football prodigy. We can expect to witness his remarkable growth and success in the coming years as he continues to showcase his growing skills.

9 Right-wingers spurs are following:

• Ansgar Knauff - Eintracht Frankfurt
• Nico Williams - Athletic Bilbao
  
• Dango Ouattara - Lorient
• Jan Thielmann - Cologne
  
• Joel Mugisha - Bodø Glimt
• Ken Tshiend - RSC Charleroi
  
• Yerémi Pino - Villarreal
• Karim Adeyemi - Dortmund
• Johan Bakayoko - PSV

Have a nice day