#1 Alejandro Grimaldo
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The number 1 prospect primed to attract the attention of all the top European clubs and fans across the globe is Alejandro Grimaldo. The Spanish left-back, currently plying his trade at Benfica, hails from the banks of Turia river in Valencia, Spain.
His youth career commenced at his hometown club, Valencia before he moved to Barcelona’s La Masia at the age of 13. Over the next seven years, Grimaldo established himself in the academy and became the youngest to appear in a Segunda Division game at the of 15 years and 349 days. He went on to amass 92 appearances for Barcelona B in the next four years and was also given the captaincy armband.
But at the end of 2015, Grimaldo publicly criticised Luis Enrique for not communicating with him even once and expressed his dejection of not being promoted to the first squad despite the injury to Jordi Alba. This led to him transferring to the Portuguese giants for just over a £1 million in January 2016.
The calculated decision by Benfica is set to reward them handsomely in the coming future. Until the end of the 2015-16 season, Grimaldo was limited to just a few appearances but his playing time has significantly increased in the current campaign.
In his 12 appearances this season, Grimaldo has established himself as the first choice at left back and has put in exemplary performances that have already garnered traction in the transfer columns. As per whoscored, Grimaldo leads the squad with the best ratings per game in both, the Liga NOS and Champions League, 7.77 and 7.35 respectively. His rating in the domestic league puts him atop the list of all the players in the league too.
He can be considered a modern full back that exploits the flank to support the attacking unit, and has scored two goals and two assists this season. But his defending statistics prove that he is more than capable at the back too. Comparing the players in the Benfica squad per game, Grimaldo has the third most tackles (2.4), second most interceptions (2.6), third least fouls given (0.4) and the most clearances after the centre backs (1.8).
To put it into perspective, his defensive statistics are superior to his former club’s first choice left-back, Jordi Alba in all the aspects. Granted that comparing two players in very contrasting leagues may not be justified, but it only adds value to the growth and potential Grimaldo has shown since leaving for Portugal.
Accustomed to the playing style of Barcelona, it is no wonder that Pep Guardiola is just one of the suitors knocking on the door of this prodigious talent.
