Football Wyscout Recruiting

Wesley - Al-Nassr New 19-Year-Old Brazilian Wonderkid

12 Sep, 2024

3 Min Read

By Golazo

Just like his Argentinian colleague Equi Fernández, Wesley decided to move to Saudi Arabia at a very young age, hoping to learn from football legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mané.

When Saudi Arabian football and its almost limitless funds set sights on some of football's biggest names, its impact was immediate. European fans assured themselves there was little to worry about having seen Major League Soccer (MLS) and the Chinese Super League lure players to their shores in the past.

After all, there was a familiar look to the business: older players, past their peak, now willing to accept the promise of riches to play outside the established top-tier club competitions.

Yet, that might be about to change. Investments made in Saudi clubs’ recruitment teams have seen a net cast far wider and now it’s some of the top young players from around the world joining the league.

Boca Juniors’ midfielder Equi Fernández signed for Al-Qadsiah in this window and recently, 19-year-old Wesley departed Brazilian giants Corinthians for Al-Nassr for a fee potentially in excess of €20 million.

The electric, young winger who had once been rumored to be on PSG’s wish list as a potential successor to Kylian Mbappé, instead playing his part in a new phase of Saudi recruitment.

While those Mbappé comparisons may be a distraction at this stage of development, certain similarities are clear. The explosive pace off the left wing and the intention to cut inside to the right foot lend themselves to comparison.

Dribbles in Final Third from Wyscout Player Report

Wesley’s dribbling is certainly eye-catching and not in the fútsal-inspired, Ronaldinho-esque way, often associated with Brazilian football, but rather in a direct, powerful manner owing more to his acceleration, quick change of direction and feints than anything else.

That’s not to say there isn’t the technical ability for those flashes of flair but rather there is an efficiency to Wesley’s dribbling. The results have been clear with only Chelsea-bound wonderkid Estevão averaging more dribbles per 90 in this season’s Brasileirão.

Where this ability has also proved incredibly valuable in transition. Corinthians, like many sides in Brazil, look to get the ball forward quickly and Wesley has allowed them to do that with his ball carrying.

5.21 progressive runs per 90 in Brazil’s top flight, Wesley is ranked top five in the league this season and his capacity to do so from deep provides an outlet for the team and allows for rapid counterattacks.

Wesley's Ball Progression - Wyscout Player Report

Once in these positions, Wesley can stay wide and go outside the full-back but would prefer to operate in the half-space and come inside for shooting opportunities on his favored right foot.

Almost all the teenager’s effort coming from this same area of the pitch, Wesley works the ball onto his right foot intelligently and has the striking ability to shoot from a variety of distances.

Wesley's Shot Map from Wyscout Player Report

Whether it’s shooting from 25 yards or looking for opportunities inside the area, Wesley has demonstrated the potential to be a good finisher, opening his body to apply those right-footed finishes across the goalkeeper that you would associate with the best wide forwards in that position.

However, there is certainly room for improvement in terms of his output in this regard. Five goals in 2024 (averaging a goal every 626 minutes) leaves plenty of room for development. Former manager Vanderlei Luxemburgo remarked as such after witnessing Wesley’s first professional goal last year against Newell’s Old Boys: “A forward who doesn't score goals is not a forward. He has to like scoring goals whether it's from the wing or inside.”

Fortunately, when not scoring goals, there is still an attacking contribution from Wesley. His passing is underrated and whether it be carrying the ball or spying gaps in the defense for through balls, Wesley is adept at finding teammates inside the penalty area.

His three assists across competitions in 2024 could again see improvement but his three second assists in addition to 3.62 passes to the penalty area per 90 demonstrate Wesley’s creativity.

Recoveries in Final Third - Wyscout Player Report

Additionally, there is a strong work ethic off the ball with Wesley eager to win back the ball high up the pitch in dangerous positions. His physicality - an athletically built 5-foot and 10-inch frame - helping him in this regard, in the same it does when carrying the ball.

But it isn’t just having the strength to withstand these challenges, it’s a mentality and Wesley demonstrates a desire and hunger when he steps onto the pitch. Coupled with his clear confidence there are a number of the mental tools required to continue developing and reach his potential.

Many will question whether Saudi Arabia is the ideal location to do this but Wesley will at least have in Sadio Mané and Cristiano Ronaldo two of the best examples of how to excel in this position. Whether he can and whether Wesley still makes the mark in European football and with the Seleçao, only time will tell.

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