Mikkel Damsgaard

Mike Smalling

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Didn't find a thread on this guy, so decided to start one.

At 21 years of age he was one of the stand-out young performers at the Euro's this summer and a major reason for Denmark's success, as he seamlessly stepped in when Eriksen was out. He continued his good form for his country yesterday with a brilliant assist vs. Scotland. After a great season as a teenager in the Danish league he moved to Sampdoria in 2020, where he seems to have established himself in the first team, making 35 appearances in the league last year - although without making a big splash (statistically at least).

Although playing mostly as a winger, I would say he is more of a wide playmaker and he is equally effective in central areas. He relies mostly on close control, quick feet, excellent technique and vision and in terms of those qualities he may be the closest we have seen to Michael Laudrup from a Danish talent - at least in a long time. He is also a threat from distance as evidenced by his two excellent goals at the Euro's.

Obligatory YouTube video:


So how far do you think he can go? He will certainly be playing for Denmark for a long time, and I think he definitely has the potential to play for a top 4 club in one the big leagues. Perhaps he needs a bit more experience and maybe to bulk up a little, as he still looks quite slight, but the ability is there.
 

massi83

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Didn't find a thread on this guy, so decided to start one.

At 21 years of age he was one of the stand-out young performers at the Euro's this summer and a major reason for Denmark's success, as he seamlessly stepped in when Eriksen was out. He continued his good form for his country yesterday with a brilliant assist vs. Scotland. After a great season as a teenager in the Danish league he moved to Sampdoria in 2020, where he seems to have established himself in the first team, making 35 appearances in the league last year - although without making a big splash (statistically at least).

Although playing mostly as a winger, I would say he is more of a wide playmaker and he is equally effective in central areas. He relies mostly on close control, quick feet, excellent technique and vision and in terms of those qualities he may be the closest we have seen to Michael Laudrup from a Danish talent - at least in a long time. He is also a threat from distance as evidenced by his two excellent goals at the Euro's.

Obligatory YouTube video:


So how far do you think he can go? He will certainly be playing for Denmark for a long time, and I think he definitely has the potential to play for a top 4 club in one the big leagues. Perhaps he needs a bit more experience and maybe to bulk up a little, as he still looks quite slight, but the ability is there.
Best divers make the smallest splash.
 

Jacob

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Body of an introvert e-gamer who only goes out to buy Dr. Pepper and frozen pizza.
 

Mike Smalling

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He had a nice Euros but his attacking numbers at Sampdoria are very underwhelming. His defensive stats are off the charts there which makes me wonder what system they play there.

https://fbref.com/en/players/215f3907/scout/365_euro/Mikkel-Damsgaard-Scouting-Report
Based on very quick research it seems like they play either 4-4-1-1 or 4-4-2, where Damsgaard typically plays on the left side. This would mean he would be further from the goal than if he played wide in a 4-2-3-1, and also have more defensive responsibility.

But agreed, that 2 goals and 4 assists is quite underwhelming for the minutes he played - even in a midtable club. He passes the eye-test though, and I don't think his Euro performances were just a flash in the pan.
 

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True :lol: But with the mind and vision of Cruyff.

He is a bit wasted at Sampdoria. Should play in a possesion team as the main creator in a team that makes good runs off the ball to compliment his vision. Sort of like an Eriksen role.
 

passing-wind

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Based on very quick research it seems like they play either 4-4-1-1 or 4-4-2, where Damsgaard typically plays on the left side. This would mean he would be further from the goal than if he played wide in a 4-2-3-1, and also have more defensive responsibility.

But agreed, that 2 goals and 4 assists is quite underwhelming for the minutes he played - even in a midtable club. He passes the eye-test though, and I don't think his Euro performances were just a flash in the pan.
Same as Chiesa, international competitions are certainly not the mainstays to assess a players contribution at club level. Domestic football is more revolved around consistency and there's better preparation tactically.
 

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I don't think his Euro performances were just a flash in the pan.
International tournaments are not the best way to judge players. You'd be signing Dumfries, Stick and Forsberg going off Euro 2020. Fergie always used to say 'never buy out of tournaments'. Boradly it's just too small a sample to gauge a player's quality.

He looks to have some quality on the ball though.
 

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Was very good first half last night. His pressing, & that of the Danish team in general Scotland couldn't live with, & he had a lovely little ball to help set up the 2nd. I can imagine someone like Klopp admiring him.
 

WeePat

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He seems less impactful when I watch him play for Sampdoria. Denmark seem to be a much more possession heavy team and I think he shines more in that sort of set up but a quick glance through Sampdoria's possession stats in their last season, they're not a dominant pass happy team but they aren't really a negative team either. He seems to do most of his good work a long way from the goal.

That's the biggest difference I've noticed anyway. He's a lot closer to the box for the NT. I'd like to see him in a team like RB Leipzig. A move like that would be a reasonable step in his career.
 

André Dominguez

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Sampdoria has a relatively average Squad overall, but D'Aversa is very good at organizing his teams to make sure they are consistent to ensure they wont bem battling relegation.
Unfortunately this pragmatic quick counter takes a toll on more creative players since the tempo is quick and the build-up is fast.
 

Classical Mechanic

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Sampdoria has a relatively average Squad overall, but D'Aversa is very good at organizing his teams to make sure they are consistent to ensure they wont bem battling relegation.
Unfortunately this pragmatic quick counter takes a toll on more creative players since the tempo is quick and the build-up is fast.
It's interesting to look on the fbref scouting report on the players that he matches up to stat wise. You have guys like Andros Townsend and Dwight McNeil on there. Both of those players are asked to do a lot of defensive work in their sides. I guess the question is if the player in question can be effective in a more front foot side. With Denmark he seems more advanced and has shown some real quality.
 

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Football manager legend. One of Euro 2021 breakout stars. Can he keep improving to the point of making the jump to a bigger club? Spurs with Paratici seem to favour the seria a for recruitment and they were supposedly in for this guy at one point but were put off by a large asking price. I reckon he’ll taper off and end up somewhere like Leeds or Rennes in 2/3 years and as a later bloomer become a cracking player.
 

WeePat

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Based on very quick research it seems like they play either 4-4-1-1 or 4-4-2, where Damsgaard typically plays on the left side. This would mean he would be further from the goal than if he played wide in a 4-2-3-1, and also have more defensive responsibility.

But agreed, that 2 goals and 4 assists is quite underwhelming for the minutes he played - even in a midtable club. He passes the eye-test though, and I don't think his Euro performances were just a flash in the pan.
In contrast to when he plays for the NT, he has 4 goals and 5 assists in 9 games. Small sample size but it kind of shows how good he could potentially be when he plays in a team that attacks in a much more cohesive way than Sampdoria.
 

giorno

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Sampdoria has a relatively average Squad overall, but D'Aversa is very good at organizing his teams to make sure they are consistent to ensure they wont bem battling relegation.
Unfortunately this pragmatic quick counter takes a toll on more creative players since the tempo is quick and the build-up is fast.
Samp were pretty much the only italian club last season that didn't press. Ranieri had them stick to a mid/low defensive block, and fast long transition to attack. With numbers, mind, but still in his setup Damsgaard was asked to be more of a ball progressor and knit player in midfield than a final third playmaker

D'Aversa is like Ranieri in terms of his defensive preference and setup, but his teams prefer those long transitions be carried by pacey ball carriers and dribblers, to commit fewer men forward. Not sure Damsgaard will flourish with him either

In Italy I think either Lazio(Sarri) or Atalanta would be the best sides for him. Maybe Sassuolo and Inter
 

Wednesday at Stoke

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Him and Mæhle alone make me excited to tune in for the national team games. As soon as Conte gets a job, I can see him go for Mæhle, he’s tailor made for a wing back in that sort of system.
 

Mike Smalling

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Him and Mæhle alone make me excited to tune in for the national team games. As soon as Conte gets a job, I can see him go for Mæhle, he’s tailor made for a wing back in that sort of system.
Absolutely! If Skov Olsen can take a step up and Dolberg can continue his Euro's form, we would have a really exciting attack for many years.
 

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Samp were pretty much the only italian club last season that didn't press. Ranieri had them stick to a mid/low defensive block, and fast long transition to attack. With numbers, mind, but still in his setup Damsgaard was asked to be more of a ball progressor and knit player in midfield than a final third playmaker

D'Aversa is like Ranieri in terms of his defensive preference and setup, but his teams prefer those long transitions be carried by pacey ball carriers and dribblers, to commit fewer men forward. Not sure Damsgaard will flourish with him either

In Italy I think either Lazio(Sarri) or Atalanta would be the best sides for him. Maybe Sassuolo and Inter
It's still amazing how focused Sampdoria are defending, but for the opposition teams must be a boring game, and probably even worst for fans. But it's much worse to be relegated than to play pragmatic football financially speaking.
I Guess they probably asked for a value above market price, and Corona Crisis hit the clubs hard, hence the main reason I guess he stayed.
 

giorno

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It's still amazing how focused Sampdoria are defending, but for the opposition teams must be a boring game, and probably even worst for fans. But it's much worse to be relegated than to play pragmatic football financially speaking.
I Guess they probably asked for a value above market price, and Corona Crisis hit the clubs hard, hence the main reason I guess he stayed.
Yeah, they did. Wanted like €40-50M for him :lol:

In general D'Aversa seems to be using him similar to Ranieri, his role is more to use his dribbling, close control and vision to attract pressure and release the ball quickly to the free man behind the lines. More of a lockpick than an attacking playmaker, so to speak
 

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It is also worth noting the national team manager was the same guy who was his manager for Nordsjælland when he broke through up until 6 months before he was sold, so the trust and tactical understanding between those two is also a big reason (outside formation and attacking mentality of course) for his great stats for Denmark.

I would be very interesting to see him in a more suited team than Sampdoria, if nothing else to see how he would work in an attacking team with a different coach than Hjulmand
 

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21 with a hairline like that :eek:

Oooooft luckily he's loaded and can kick a ball as the hair gods have not been kind to him
 

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21 with a hairline like that :eek:

Oooooft luckily he's loaded and can kick a ball as the hair gods have not been kind to him


At 24, Neves has a Neanderthal hairline and still looks about 15 years older than he is.
 

Mike Smalling

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In contrast to when he plays for the NT, he has 4 goals and 5 assists in 9 games. Small sample size but it kind of shows how good he could potentially be when he plays in a team that attacks in a much more cohesive way than Sampdoria.
To be fair, four of those goal contributions (two goals, two assists) came against a criminally bad Moldova side in an 8-0 victory. Still agree with the overall point though. I look forward to seeing him live in Parken on Tuesday!
 

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It's interesting to look on the fbref scouting report on the players that he matches up to stat wise. You have guys like Andros Townsend and Dwight McNeil on there. Both of those players are asked to do a lot of defensive work in their sides. I guess the question is if the player in question can be effective in a more front foot side. With Denmark he seems more advanced and has shown some real quality.
Whenever I watch Burnley games I always scrutinize McNeil a little bit more, and for me he definitely passes my eye-test even though his direct involvement in goals is quite low for a wide midfielder. Burnley are of course set up quite defensively so the frequency with which he receives the ball in dangerous positions is limited, but to me it looks like (without having any meaningful data) he has quite a high success rate in whatever he's trying to do, and I don't see why it wouldn't translate if he moved to a team with more attacking actions per game. From my understanding you follow youth football quite a lot - do you think McNeil's development curve has started to peter out and Burnley is the level he will stay at, or is it more of a limitation of the team he's in?

Regarding Damsgaard it sounds as if it might be a similar issue, and that both of these players could be good from a 'Moneyball' perspective. If I was in charge of transfers in a team right below the very top teams in the league I would be very interested in both.
 

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Whenever I watch Burnley games I always scrutinize McNeil a little bit more, and for me he definitely passes my eye-test even though his direct involvement in goals is quite low for a wide midfielder. Burnley are of course set up quite defensively so the frequency with which he receives the ball in dangerous positions is limited, but to me it looks like (without having any meaningful data) he has quite a high success rate in whatever he's trying to do, and I don't see why it wouldn't translate if he moved to a team with more attacking actions per game. From my understanding you follow youth football quite a lot - do you think McNeil's development curve has started to peter out and Burnley is the level he will stay at, or is it more of a limitation of the team he's in?

Regarding Damsgaard it sounds as if it might be a similar issue, and that both of these players could be good from a 'Moneyball' perspective. If I was in charge of transfers in a team right below the very top teams in the league I would be very interested in both.
I follow England in youth football mostly these days but I’m no expert.

If you look at McNeil’s goal and shooting stats they’re quite pitiful as you say. He is asked to defend a lot but Dyche uses him as a traditional winger rather than the inverted goal scoring type we’re more used to these days. His expected assists are in the 63rd percentile so not too bad for the club he’s at. I’ve always wondered if he could become an inverted winger that cuts in on his left and shoots more. Everton we’re looking at him this summer as the arch pragmatist Benetiz was looking for players to cross the ball to DCL. I can only assume that he was looking at him as a traditional winger as well. If Burnley are relegated then he’ll have no shortage of Premier League suitors but I think he’ll fall into the Lennon and Redmond category of good Premier League players with possible occasional bit part roles for the England NT.

https://fbref.com/en/players/fc15fb84/scout/365_euro/Dwight-McNeil-Scouting-Report

What do you predict for him?
 
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Mike Smalling

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Just sign this kid already. Swap him for Lingard or something
We are stacked in the positions he plays, and I am not convinced he is fully ready for the PL yet.

Great performance again yesterday, though. Completely opened up the Israel defense for the first goal and got the assist for the third. Delaney got MOTM, but it could just as well have been Damsgaard.
 

PeteReDevil

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Just sign this kid already. Swap him for Lingard or something
As much as I love watching him play, I think he'd be a one-for-one replacement for Lingard if we signed him, leading to him getting as little playing time as Lingard does. So much to like about the Danish team in general and I think this is the first a non-United player is my favourite footballer. Not Damsgård though but Mæhle! :drool:
 

WeePat

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As much as I love watching him play, I think he'd be a one-for-one replacement for Lingard if we signed him, leading to him getting as little playing time as Lingard does. So much to like about the Danish team in general and I think this is the first a non-United player is my favourite footballer. Not Damsgård though but Mæhle! :drool:
I think it would be too big of a step up for him anyway. He's relatively raw as a player. I think a club like Ajax, one of the teams below Bayern in Germany or even Milan if he wants to remain in the Italian league, would be the right kind of step for him.
 

PeteReDevil

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I think it would be too big of a step up for him anyway. He's relatively raw as a player. I think a club like Ajax, one of the teams below Bayern in Germany or even Milan if he wants to remain in the Italian league, would be the right kind of step for him.
That would make sense
 

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He was the surprise of the summer, as I had never heard of him before. But I loved watching him play and I enjoy the youtube vids that show how hard he works defensively.

But his touch and vision are both outstanding.
 

redrobed

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He’s a truly fantastic player with great vision and passing ability and an eye for goal and great creativity. Would be a fantastic signing but would suggest we wait until January before we get him. He’s definitely a Man Utd player.
 

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He’s a truly fantastic player with great vision and passing ability and an eye for goal and great creativity. Would be a fantastic signing but would suggest we wait until January before we get him. He’s definitely a Man Utd player.
He's a big United fan too.
 

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He’s a truly fantastic player with great vision and passing ability and an eye for goal and great creativity. Would be a fantastic signing but would suggest we wait until January before we get him. He’s definitely a Man Utd player.
I like him but don’t see us adding another attacker, thought Spurs would be in for him but they got Gill instead.
 

RedDevilRoshi

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He’s a truly fantastic player with great vision and passing ability and an eye for goal and great creativity. Would be a fantastic signing but would suggest we wait until January before we get him. He’s definitely a Man Utd player.
I’ve not seen much of him although I do remember a lot of folk raving about him at the Euros.

Could he be a potential Pogba replacement? In terms of the way you have described him - “truly fantastic player with great vision and passing ability and an eye for goal and great creativity”. Sounds like the perfect Pogba replacement.
 

Deery

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I’ve not seen much of him although I do remember a lot of folk raving about him at the Euros.

Could he be a potential Pogba replacement? In terms of the way you have described him - “truly fantastic player with great vision and passing ability and an eye for goal and great creativity”. Sounds like the perfect Pogba replacement.
He’s a winger.
 

WeePat

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He’s a winger.
He's more of a 10 actually, but considering a lot of teams don't really utilise that role that often anymore, he used as wide forward instead. To me stylistically the player he reminds me of the most of is David Silva but with pace.
 
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