Wolverhampton Wanderers

Scout Report: Diogo Jota

Diogo Jota is a Portuguese footballer currently playing for Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers, on loan from Atletico Madrid. The 20-year-old’s uprising in the Portuguese sport is quite an interesting tale, especially taking into account the major influx of promising young talent in the European country.

Overview:

Born in Massarelos, Porto on the 4th December 1996, the Portuguese forward grew up having aspirations of one day becoming a professional footballer. At the age of eight, the youngster took his first steps in the sport by learning his trade in the youth setup of hometown club Gondomar SC.

After eight years at the club, the prospect departed the club and was quickly snapped up by Primeira Liga side Pacos de Ferreira. During his three year tenure at the Portuguese side, the forward began to experience challenging first team football which has since helped his overall development.

During his first season at senior level for the club, Jota became the youngest player to score for his club after scoring a brace against Academica de Coimbra towards the end of the season. Surprisingly, despite attracting interest from some of Portugal’s biggest clubs, it was Spanish giants Atletico Madrid who won the race for the forward’s signature.

Realising the importance of maintaining a consistent rate of first team football, the Spanish side loaned the then 19-year-old to FC Porto in order to maintain his development in his home country. Following an impressive loan spell at one of Portugal’s biggest clubs, Wolves astoundingly won the race for his signature on a season-long loan for the 2017/18 Championship season.

Style of play:

Albeit his best role on the pitch would have to be as a second striker, the Portuguese forward could also flourish when deployed on either flank in attack. This was proven during his previous loan spell at Portuguese giants Porto, briefly playing as either a left or right winger during the season. When playing out wide with the ball, Jota can be known to cut inside and look for which play would be best for the respective attack.

However, the aforementioned role in the centre is where the 20-year-old truly prospers. The forward’s impressive dribbling ability alongside his passing range enables him to be a major threat when allowed to roam free with the ball. In this role, the forward has the ability to dictate the way of which an attack progresses, normally by breaching the opposition by creating space, or, by starting up play.

What’s surprising for someone of Jota’s age is the maturity that he has always had on the ball, always looking to maintain composure. As noted prior, his quick feet and dribbling ability is one of his main assets that will certainly be put to the test in England, but he always utilises these traits with intellect and comprehension.

Nonetheless, whilst having impressive traits regarding his ability in attack, the same can not be said when it comes to his defensive contribution. Regardless of the role he plays higher up the field, the forward still needs to work on his contribution when the opposition are on the attack.

Reuniting with former boss Nuno Espirito Santo at Wolves, it will be interesting to see whether the Portuguese forward will be implemented in his favourable secondary striker role or further out wide. Should the former happen, it’ll certainly be interesting to see how Jota links up with fellow loan arrival Leo Bonatini.

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