Undervalued Premier League Talents: Leandro Trossard

Written by Charlie Ellis & Rhys Desmond

Summer 2022 looks set to be one of the most fascinating transfer windows in recent memory, with many clubs finally willing to splash the cash after a rough couple of years with COVID. Not only that, but several big stars are set to become free agents, and many of Europe’s most dominant figures remain hungry for a move. It’s these moves that have, inevitably, taken the bulk of the media’s attention. But for every Sadio Mane, Antonio Rudiger and Robert Lewandowski who may be on the move this summer, there are also several lesser talked about players who could be made available for cheap. We’ve already seen Aston Villa striking for gold in identifying Boubacar Kamara and Diego Carlos as under the radar signings to improve their ranks, but others remain on the market.

So with that, we analyze some of the very best Premier League stars who remain undervalued gems worthy of greater attention this summer. In this article, it’s all about Brighton’s Leandro Trossard.

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Despite finishing ninth place in the table, very few players from Brighton & Hove Albion achieved their deserved acclaim this season. Someone like Leandro Trossard went quietly under the radar, despite contributing to 11 of their 42 goals in his 34 appearances. It was the Belgian’s best return for goals + assists in a Premier League campaign, after reaching 10 the season before (5 goals + 5 assists). A staple for both club and country in a variety of different roles, Trossard has proven to be one of the great value for money signings of recent years, signing for just €15.56 million back in 2019. Despite being a steady performer in a number of different positions, Trossard’s market value has only risen to 17 million as per Transfermarkt. But as a full Belgian international who can play either as a wide man, wing-back or second striker, Trossard would prove to be an excellent pick-up for any Premier League club, especially ones looking to add an edge to their Champions League dreams.

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In addition to the penetrative force the 27-year-old provides in front of goal, Trossard effectively carries out his responsibilities further away from goal. Exceptionally aware of his surroundings in the final third, Trossard is adept at receiving progressive passes and picking up dangerous pockets of space in the final third. This helps to land the Belgian great opportunities to strike at goal, where he can find the back of the net from range or inside of the eighteen. An expert finisher and relatively two-footed player, Trossard boasts an impressive 2.92 shot-creating actions per game, and frequently involves himself lower on the field in helping to penetrate passes forward to other teammates. Importantly, his resolute desire to provide for his teammates ranks top of his team in passes into the penalty area (1.86 per 90) and carries into the penalty area (1.28). Paired with a deadlier finisher in front of goal, Trossard’s assist numbers could easily skyrocket next season.

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A powerful dribbler with a phenomenal 75.6% success rate, Trossard ranks within the top 1% of players in his position. Constantly looking to drive the team forward and reach the penalty area with his solid mix of speed and strength, the Belgian constantly makes himself one of Brighton’s biggest threats. His dribbling is empowered by his incredulous close control, allowing him to make use of tight spaces even when the opposition attempt to go 2v1 against his shifty footwork. Having dribbled past 60 players this season, the threat that Trossard provides on the dribble is one of his greatest weapons, and makes him particularly useful from counter-attacking situations.

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In addition to all the attacking threat that he provides, his versatility and ability to play in a number of different positions makes Leandro Trossard one of the most undervalued stars of the Premier League today. Now at the age of 27, it’s now or never for Trossard to land a move at a big club, and play his peak years of performance for a team challenging for European glory.

So with that, here are the top three destinations for Trossard to land this summer, should a move be made away from Brighton.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

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When conjuring up the very best system to suit Trossard’s style of play, it would be impossible to look past the 3-4-3 / 3-4-2-1. In fact, it’s the system he’s become accustomed to as a wing-back for his native Belgium, under the influence of Roberto Martinez. The 27-year-old performed admirably for Graham Potter’s 3-4-2-1 when using the formation back in 2020-21, and is extremely familiar with the principles of play Antonio Conte prioritizes. His versatility means that he could play on either wing or as a wing-back for Conte’s Spurs, immediately transforming the wing-back position and adding greater attacking steel. The Italian manager loves to bring in experienced pros, so Trossard’s age would not be a deterring factor whatsoever. With 8 goals and 3 assists to his name in 2021-22, Conte can be confident he’d be getting value for money in spending less than 20 million to secure Trossard’s signature away from Brighton. In doing so, he’d find a player that would relish his intense mentality every step of the way, and respond brilliantly to the demands Antonio Conte poses on his defensive responsibilities, and ability to drive the team on from deep.

BAYER LEVERKUSEN

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Gerardo Seoane enjoyed an excellent first season at Bayer Leverkusen, even helping the team to a third placed finish ahead of Leipzig and Freiburg. The one major missing piece to the puzzle of Seoane’s side was a standout left-winger, that could help the team to explode in transition and provide more variety to their attacking gusto. Much of Seoane’s play funneled through Moussa Diaby and Jeremie Frimpong down the right, with Florian Wirtz and Patrik Schick linking up nicely through the middle. Now with Champions League football in their sights, a left winger would be the perfect addition to their progression under the Swiss manager. Die Werkself already added Adam Hlozek to their ranks, who can play off the left, but will most likely serve best as a second striker or in a a supporting role to Patrik Schick. This means that the search for a left winger who can add immediate quality to the team as the 21-year-old Paulinho learns his trade remains an imperative process for Bayer this summer.

In Leandro Trossard, Seoane’s side would be securing a player more than capable of driving the team on in transition, as highlighted by his expert dribbling power and nifty footwork in the final third. Trossard’s link-up play with others is excellent, and he’d wonderfully bounce off the phenomenal finishing ability of Patrick Schick, and the creativity of Florian Wirtz to thread passes into his path. His versatility would be less important to a team like Bayer, that stay relatively rigid in formation and personnel. But the Belgian would nevertheless add necessary flexibility, as Leverkusen opted for a back-three on five occasions in the Bundesliga last season.

INTER MILAN

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Inter Milan will have been disappointed to finish second last season, missing out on the Serie A title to their bitter rivals AC Milan. With Ivan Perisic already heading to Tottenham, and more departures likely on their way, Inter Milan will be dipping into the market this summer for players that can add quality to their wing-back and front-line positions. Leandro Trossard serves as the perfect medium to both roles, and would make for a perfect Perisic replacement. In addition to being fully comfortable playing the attack-minded wing-back role, Trossard could be an excellent option up front in a 3-5-2 formation for I Nerazzurri, a role he’s played many times for Brighton. Inter Milan’s business in recent years has been shrewd and astute, and Leandro Trossard would be a welcomed addition toward bringing the Serie A title back to the other side of Milan.

CONCLUSION

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As one of the Premier League’s most versatile attackers, Leandro Trossard would add a depth of quality to any club looking to expand their horizons and add another driving force to their attack. The Belgian’s expert close control and ability to wiggle his way out of tight spaces and beat defenders 1v1 remains one of the best, and he’d be fantastic for any club that loves to play on the break or remain flexible in their tactics within a back-three. The likes of Leverkusen, Tottenham and Inter stand out as top options for the Belgian if a move were to be made, but Trossard evidently loves his role at Brighton and may very well continue with the Seagulls for years to come.

So there it is! Why Leandro Trossard remains one of the most undervalued and underrated talents available for cheap in the transfer market this summer. Be sure to comment below if there’s a player you’d like to see analyzed next, and don’t forget to follow on social media @mastermindsite to never miss an update. Thanks for reading and see you soon!

– Written by Charlie Ellis & Rhys Desmond.

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