2026-01-19, 09:09 PM - Word count:
João Mendes is the newest midfield prospect taking the league by storm. Although small in stature, the Portuguese maestro has declared for the upcoming SSL draft, hoping his development in the academy league will nurture his raw talent. We take a look at some of his strongest and weakest attributes.
Strengths
Mendes is a general on the field. He loves to have the ball at his feet and dictate the tempo of the game to his pace. His anticipation and decision-making on the field stand out, and he always seems to be in the right position. Don't let his calm demeanor fool you. He has a knack for playing through balls over the defensive line for his attackers to run onto. He's very tidy on the ball and has great vision for picking out teammates.
Weaknesses
João lacks some physical attributes at his young age. He is not the quickest player and does lose contested battles in the midfield. He needs to work on his ball carrying and his dribbling. One thing he lacks is experience, and he can sometimes lose his concentration on the pitch, causing him to lose track of his opponents.
João is hoping his time in the academy will allow him to make mistakes and learn from them. He wants to be able to touch the ball as much as possible so he can improve in all aspects of his game. He knows it's going to be a tough few months, but he's ready learn from the best coaches in the world and soak up all the information.
[260 words]
Strengths
Mendes is a general on the field. He loves to have the ball at his feet and dictate the tempo of the game to his pace. His anticipation and decision-making on the field stand out, and he always seems to be in the right position. Don't let his calm demeanor fool you. He has a knack for playing through balls over the defensive line for his attackers to run onto. He's very tidy on the ball and has great vision for picking out teammates.
Weaknesses
João lacks some physical attributes at his young age. He is not the quickest player and does lose contested battles in the midfield. He needs to work on his ball carrying and his dribbling. One thing he lacks is experience, and he can sometimes lose his concentration on the pitch, causing him to lose track of his opponents.
João is hoping his time in the academy will allow him to make mistakes and learn from them. He wants to be able to touch the ball as much as possible so he can improve in all aspects of his game. He knows it's going to be a tough few months, but he's ready learn from the best coaches in the world and soak up all the information.
[260 words]
