Sheikh Scouts: Lutsharel Geertruida

With the transfer window open and rumors floating around, we are launching a new series called #SheikhScouts, a simply weekly feature in which Sheikh dissects some targets he is intrigued by. It’s important to note that these features are purely speculation and the targets to be mentioned won’t necessarily be linked with the club. 

The reports of speedster Kyle Walker’s departure has City fans feeling nervous about our activity (or lack of) in the transfer market. Kyle had an interesting season, one which saw him benched for Rico Lewis at one point, only to return to form and become undroppable in the latter stages of the year. As one of the captains of our squad, Walker’s influence looms large and I took care to identify a player that I thought would be a sensible, affordable fit for our squad. And more importantly, for Pep’s demands. Friends, let me introduce you to 22-year old Dutch defender from Feyenoord, Lutsharel Geertruida. 

Lutsharel was initially used as a RB this season (19 games), played great as a centre back (17 games), and also saw minutes on the right side of a double pivot. His underrated positional knowledge and spatial awareness allows him to play in central midfield or wide as a fullback without hampering his team’s creativity. His versatility was further on display as he featured recently for the Dutch national side in a defensive midfield-style half-back role. Feyenoord are great at developing fundamentally sound players and Geertruida has flashed elite-level composure and ball control for a possession-based defender. Physically, he is very similar to Walker’s build. Roughly 6”0 and 76kg of lean muscle with excellent recovery speed. 

His on-ball capabilities are far superior to what Walker offered. He’s a very talented possession-based defender who can be relied upon as an anchor due to his press resistance and security in possession, combined with his covering ability. Feyenoord play great football and as the champions of the Eredivisie, his club experience should prove invaluable to his ability to step up to a more competitive league. 

However, there are some weaknesses, most of which I don’t see as big issues as they seem related to the team he plays in and the current stage of his development. While his passing percentage is great, he can be entirely too passive. Good enough to regulate possession but vision and range can be lacking (also similar to Walker). He isn’t necessarily a risk taker or a chance creator with his passing but I firmly believe playing in a Guardiola system will unlock that aspect of his game and improve his ability to progress the attack. 

As mentioned before, his physique is impressive and he has the base qualities to be a dominant. He’s a solid defender and rarely fouls or gets booked – just one league booking all season. However, he lacks assertiveness and seems to play it safe on one too many occasions, perhaps due to Feyenoord’s high line or his over-reliance on his excellent recovery speed (also like Walker). Because his natural instinct is to cover rather than engage, he would do well with a proper physical CB next to him.. someone like a Rúben Dias, who can not only help him stay positionally sound but also is one of the best last line defenders in world football. Either way, must improve his physicality or willingness to exert it, especially in the air. See his stats below compared to CBs, FBs, and midfielders: 

With clubs like Barcelona, Leipzig and Newcastle interested, there seem to be no shortage of suitors for Geertruida. Some player comps are the recently transferred Jurrien Timber and the in-demand Goncalo Inacio and he may prove to be a cheaper option than the linked Benjamin Pavard. Is he Kyle Walker? No. But I’m confident he has the qualities to be a valuable role player for a team like ours, with the skillset to be a contributing starter with proper world class talent around him. 

Is there anyone you’re keen on City targeting? Let us know!

Written by: SHEIKH