Tiago Ilori: Scout Report

Style, Strengths & Weaknesses

Tiago Ilori (right)

When Tiago Ilori arrived at Sporting CP’s illustrious academy, he was played in a striker’s role. The management however saw something more in his game and moulded him into a centre-back. Although he plays in the back four, he has still managed to retain some of his traits from his striker days, increasing his versatility. A place in the central defensive role is Ilori’s strong suit. Although he is capable of playing at left-back, it puts some of his attributes to waste.

Ilori’s stature is what one notices first. Traditionalists prefer a centre-back to be one who can compete aerially in the defence; standing at 6’3?, Tiago convincingly makes the grade. This allows him to effectively deal with headed duels, protect his side against set-pieces while also having the ability to deal with a tall target-man striker.

Unlike most tall central defenders, Tiago Ilori is surprisingly not slow when it comes to his movement. In fact, he is exceptionally pacey; not just for a defender. At Sporting CP’s academy, the club staff conduct speed tests on players and Tiago Ilori currently holds the academy record beating the pace set by the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo & Nani before him. This is a great asset to have in a defender, although not a prime one. Given Tiago Ilori’s figure, you wouldn’t except the youngster to be speedy, but once he’s on the ball he’s bound to surprise you.

That is another great feature of Ilori’s game. The youngster, unlike most young defenders, is always willing to have the ball at his feet. He doesn’t nervously hurry for clearances but rather prefers to take his time on the ball. Give him the slightest invitation and he will readily advance forward with the ball at his feet taking on the opposition before either attempting a shot or picking out a pass. It’s crucial that the opposing manager encourages his forwards to close down Ilori when he’s on the ball. Once he ventures forward, he’s difficult to stop.

He could have adopted these traits from his days playing as a striker. Keeping with his tendency to take his time on the ball, Ilori also has a key eye for a pass. His vision of the game is exceptional. He’s often seen completing excellent long-balls over-the-top with pin-point accuracy, enough to make any deep-lying playmaker jealous. As it was seen at the U-20 World Cup in Turkey, the Portuguese side often looked to Ilori to get the ball rolling. He has the ability to start attacks, and also provide his team-mates an opportunity to get into the right positions when he is on the ball. It makes him a valuable asset in attack.

Tiago Ilori thus epitomises the modern-day attacking central defender, constantly seen moving towards the half-way line rather than playing the role of a rigid deep lying central defender. It’s a role that requires extreme tactical awareness as certain defenders have been found guilty of being caught out of position.

The likes of Carvalho & Lucio have been excellent in such roles, but a younger attacking central defender like David Luiz has come under immense criticism. There’s a fine line that has to be maintained. Ilori is still very young and inexperienced, the early signs though are good for him to be deployed in such a role.

Despite being an attacking minded central defender, Ilori showcases immense tactical discipline and organisation. He has the ability to form a solid pairing with a central defender, and although he does venture forward, he is back in his position during a defensive phase.

His reading of the game is tremendous as well. You get a clear impression that he has been brought up in a top footballing academy, such smartness in play can only be taught & learnt. His awareness about when to move out and when to remain deep allows him to effectively make regular interceptions without compromising his role in the back four.

This is another attribute often seen in a defensive midfielder/deep-lying playmaker, one that constantly frustrates the opposition while cutting service to the striker. Ilori is not afraid to leave the ground either, as he often refuses to get too close to his man, giving him the opportunity to slide in and stop an attack.

His attack minded game and aerially ability make him an almost perfect central defender, but there are some parts of his game that need to be worked on. For instance, he’s not the strongest and most solid defender when it comes to dealing one-on-one with a player. His intelligence makes up for it, but he could develop into the best defender in the World if he works on his strength & fitness.

Another aspect that Ilori is sometimes guilty of is over-committing. Attackers have the ability to get in behind the young Portuguese defender as he occasionally moves out to make an interception. A smart & experienced striker can take advantage of this with exceptional ease creating further problems at the back.

Although Ilori possesses natural pace, a swift moving striker can easily shake him off his back. Given his participation in attack, Ilori is bound to make some errors in defense, as was seen most recently at the U-20 World Cup against South Korea; Hyun Kim was supposed to be marked by Ilori but the defender was left stranded allowing Korea Republic to score their second goal.

All in all, Ilori is an immensely talented footballer with a great bit of versatility. His height and pace is an unusual combination for a central defender, which tempts potential suitors even further; a rare type of player that is bound to attract top clubs.

Quotes

“Ilori was thrown in at the deep end and looked a bit nervous. However, he has got better and better and looks like a classy centre-back, rather than a ‘Rambo’ type. More Ricardo Carvalho than John Terry, you could say.” —Tom Kundert, Portuguese football expert, quoted by Sabotage Times

Transfer Situation

Tiago Ilori has been regularly linked with English side, Liverpool FC, over the course of last season. Those reports have gained momentum this summer, and there seems to be a genuine interest from the Merseyside club to swoop their man. His current contract runs until the summer of 2015, but it’s unlikely that Liverpool have to shed too much finances in signing the youngster. Personally i’d be very surprised if the fee exceeds €7-8 million; an absolute steal that. Given Sporting’s financial troubles, the club would be willing to listen to any offers that may arrive.

English journalist, Duncan Castles, recently stated in this piece that Chelsea too are interested in signing the London-born defender. It’s just a matter of time before Ilori earns his move abroad, and between Liverpool & Chelsea, he has the option of playing for two top sides. Given his previous stop-start career experience, he may just be tempted to join the Reds as he’s bound to get more of an opportunity there.

Tiago Ilori is destined for greatness, he is one of the best young defenders I have seen in recent times and it’s inevitable that he will establish himself at the top of World football.