Akale is a CAM, not a striker. Rubin seems to be better suited for the CAM role as well. Hopefully one or two out of the Novakovich, Spencer, Yomba, Gallardo and Wright quintet comes good and develops into a senior national team level striker.
Even still, a CAM who has a nose for goal, especially ones who can produce in Spain (which hopefully is the case for Muke), are as or more lethal than many true forwards out there.
Spanish language profile: http://www.golsmedia.com/index.php?...estadounidense&catid=199:noticias&Itemid=1705 The title (roughly): The Villarreal and enjoys Mukwelle Akale, the last American Pearl
Title: Villarreal already enjoying Akale, the latest(villarreal signing) American pearl....hahaha weird title It goes on to talk about how he made his debut as a sub at halftime against some team called ADM Lorqui. It was a welcome sight for Villarreal as they had been chasing him since last summer, but couldnt sign him because he was 17 at the time. And that he is highly rated in the United States, and the top player of his age group. Good to see hes already playing over there and seems to have settled in well so far.
Highlights of his first match.... Goalie got a hand on his breakaway. Love how his development is happening and I love how little attention he is getting.....
I know its just an acadmey team but surely they don't typically just hand a #10 shirt immediately to every kid that walks in the door? One thing I do know for sure, in-deph, HD, Villarreal Juvenil highlights seem to be far more accessible than just about any other academy set up I've come across. Won't be hard following his appearances.
Yet, you were never worried that Demarcus Beasley never weighed over 140 lbs? Get over it buddy, it's getting old.
You think Akale weighs 140 pounds? Its really not getting old. Akale hasn't played a single professional game. There are real concerns about his height. I'm just asking what his current height is. Is he closer to his 5'2, 5'4 or 5'6?
I hope you are right. 5'4 is short for a soccer player, but I don't think someone is too short at 5'4 to be an effective player at a high level. Giovinco is around 5'4.
Is he gonna get that HGH or whatever Messi was taking to grow taller? I don't think if he's 5'4" that he's too small. 5'2" maybe.
There are probably other people that are concerned. I couldn't tell you who, but the odds of a player that height making it as a professional soccer player at a high level are not good.
There's several examples of successful diminutive players currently. Joao Plata is one of the best young strikers in MLS at 5'1" Diego Buananotte has had had several successful years at River Plate and has played for good Malaga teams at 5'2". Maxi Moralez has thrived in Serie A for years and he's 5'3". Pablo Piatti is 5'4" and has been an excellent player in La Liga for years. Lorenzo Insigne is one of the biggest talents in Italian soccer and he's 5'3". Apart from Plata, most of these guys are slight of frame as well. As long as you can find the right situation, are fleet of foot, and can make quick decisions, size isn't always huge hindrance. He's in the ideal environment for a player with his skillset and physical profile.
I agree. I mentioned the example of Giovinco. I'm not saying Akale can't be a very good player, but the odds of someone under 5'5 or 5'6 being one aren't very good.
This is soccer, I've seen a lot of shorter guys dominate due to their lower center of gravity. It's about skill for people his size, and as long as he fills out some, he won't get pushed off the ball much. If he were playing in the MLS, I'd worry some, but even if he's get to just 5'5, I think he'll be fine.
Heights is an absolute non issue for a player of Akale's playstyle. Height does not help you protect the ball when it's at your feet or fight off defenders in traffic. If anything his lack of height will benefit him in the same way it benefits a player like Messi. Strength and muscle mass could be a concern down the line, but I'm less concerned about Akele's physical attributes than I am 90% of our pools technical attributes.
What's his 40 time? Can he jump high? By the way I'm an MLS combine scout and looking for players. SoccerTheNFLway@yahoo dot com thanks!
There is a correlation between height, strength, leverage, muscle mass. Not a direct correlation. That's it. Just hoping he maximizes his genetic physical attributes so it will help in on the soccer field.
As far as vision ability and smarts he is by far our best prospect and is the only kid in the pool other than Pulsic that has true potential to be a top 4 #10...... but let's freak out because he is not a monster... similar to Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Atomic Ant, Maradonna, etc.