I mentioned him a while back, along with Loic Bade, but with our increased focus on analytics as a club I'd be shocked if we weren't looking at Edmond Tapsoba.
He's 22 and putting up absolutely
GODLY defensive, passing and ball carrying numbers. Like 'make me a modern ball-playing defender in a lab' type numbers.
His
passing is ridiculous - to the point that Leverkusen use him as a legitimate playmaker. He may not get the assists, but his switches and passes through the lines are a big part of their attacking play.
A lot of ball-playing centre backs seem to forget they're actually defenders. Not Tapsoba who's
also a monster defensively.
So we've established that he's a big brick wall who can pass. He's probably immobile......Nope! He's a
brilliant ball carrier too.
He has basically everything. I say basically because he's below average aerially right now - despite being 6'4 with great spring. From watching him, it seems like something he can iron out. Looks like a technique thing where he mistimes his jumps occasionally.
Strange thing is, despite how freakish Tapsoba's stats are - Loic Bade (who's 20) isn't too far behind...and he's much better in the air to go with it.
People talk about Haaland and Mbappe for next generation strikers. I'd wager that Tapsoba and Bade could be talked about in a similar way soon for CBs if they both get big moves.