In our new article, we use Wyscout data to analyze some of the standout performers from Brazil’s premier youth tournament.
A yellow card suspension meant Ryan Francisco didn’t feature in the final against Corinthians but his contribution can’t be understated. A lethal finisher off his left foot, he provided São Paulo with the cutting edge to progress through the tournament.
Blessed with great movement and awareness around the penalty area, the teenager finds space where there is none and needs only a touch to apply a finish. His steely nerve was epitomised by his two panenka penalties to beat Criciúma in the semifinals.
His quick acceleration combined with a good first touch serves him well in those same penalty box situations but also allows Ryan to drift wide or deeper to receive the ball into feet, beat his marker and get away a shot - a skillset which should allow him to play a couple of different forward roles and get valuable minutes for the São Paulo first team in the coming months.
Gilberto Junior
Palmeiras were eliminated from the Copinha at the quarter-final stage after defeat to Grêmio but it still provided a platform for a number of young players. Forwards Erick Belé and Riquelme Fillipi along with midfield duo Vitor Figueiredo and Rafael Coutinho caught the eye but it was right-back Gilberto Junior who really stood out.
The 19-year-old’s delivery from wide, whether from set-pieces or getting high up the pitch, is exemplary and no one provided more assists (6) at this year’s Copinha. Gilberto Junior’s ability to whip the ball in with pace proved a real threat and a dream for forward players.
A tournament high 11 key passes and 3.6 dribbles per 90 demonstrated his attacking prowess yet his robust, powerful build makes him physically imposing too for a young full-back.
The attacking midfielder who plays off the left wing enabling him to come inside onto his favoured right foot scored 5 and assisted 2 in 7 appearances. The third highest G+A of the tournament behind top scorer Ryan Francisco and Red Bull Bragantino’s Filipe, and a direct goal contribution every 71.6 minutes.
With good close control and a lovely shift of balance, Kauã Lira opens up space for his right foot completing 2.34 dribbles per 90 and either creating for others with 2.17 shot assists or more often than not firing on goal. A powerful striker of the ball, the youngster is capable of scoring from distance and has all the attributes to be a highly valuable goalscoring midfielder.
Gabriel Mec
As a result of pre-tournament transfer speculation one of the recognisable names at the Copinha was Gabriel Mec and while the 16-year-old perhaps didn’t light up the tournament as some others did there were definite flashes of his talent.
Firstly at 16, Gabriel Mec is another of those several years younger than most others at tournament yet his development in many ways several steps ahead.
His dribbling ability is eye catching and understandably has caught the eye of so many scouts at such a young age. Playing off the left but predominantly right-footed, Gabriel Mec is comfortable enough with his left foot to allow him to go inside or outside the full-back. This unpredictably makes him far more difficult to defend, making his body feints particularly effective and allowed him to make 5.58 dribbles per 90.
Spatial awareness, quick feet and all the tricks expected from a Brazilian ‘wonderkid’ provide the teenager with the tools for an attacking player able to operate across a front three.
His two Copinha goals both coming in the round of 32 win over Goiás, he slightly underperformed his xG of 2.19 and his end product could certainly improve. Grêmio ultimately lost narrowly at the semifinal stage to Corinthians, with the youngster unable to make the difference at the business end of the tournament.
Chelsea’s reported interest subdued by a new long-term deal with Grêmio will likely only delay further speculation.
Denner
Instead it would appear Chelsea have turned to another 16-year-old who dazzled at the Copinha. Left-back Denner finished as a runner-up with Corinthians but saw his reputation sky rocket with reports already surfacing of a move to the Premier League club when he turns 18.
A slender, tall frame certainly by usual full-back standards, Denner provides a great deal of thrust down the left thanks to his athleticism and energy. His ball carrying and passing over a variety of distances is excellent and so was able to assist Corinthians in moving up the pitch quickly.
At 16 there should be no real rush on the next steps but if indeed a move to Chelsea is to follow then you would hope minutes in Corinthians’ first team should be the target. The hectic calendar which is Brazilian football may allow that and we will get a clearer idea of just how ready Denner is.