Giovani Lo Celso: Back to His Best in Betis
It has been a rollercoaster career for Giovani Lo Celso. He was 20 years old when he left boyhood club Rosario Central and headed across the Atlantic Ocean, joining Paris Saint-Germain for £8.5m. He was 22 when he left for Real Betis in search of playing time, emerging as a revelation for the Verdiblancos with 16 goals in 46 appearances, and he was 23 when he took his talents to the reigning Champions League finalists — Tottenham Hotspur.
The two-time Copa América winner struggled to convince during his time in North London and was eventually loaned out to Villarreal between January 2022 and June 2023, before briefly returning to Tottenham and showing signs of promise under Ange Postecoglou. At 28, Lo Celso elected to return to Spain and join Real Betis in August 2024. Having paid €48 million for him, Tottenham were forced to sell him for just €5m, and it hasn’t taken long for him to make that look like one of the bargains of the summer.
The Argentine midfielder, has carved out a niche for himself in LaLiga once again, rejuvenating a career that was in desperate need of re-ignition. Following what should have been a move to continue his career’s positive trajectory, the Argentine had hit a snag at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, owing mostly to the fact that his purchase was under a turbulent period at the London club.
Under the guidance of Manuel Pellegrini at Real Betis, Lo Celso has re-established himself as one of Europe’s best attacking midfielders. The 28-year-old’s return to the Estadio Benito Villamarín had been nothing short of a renaissance for what has now become somewhat of a journeyman career.
Player Profile & Analysis
Spatial Awareness and Exploitation of Half-Spaces
Lo Celso’s game is defined by his acute spatial awareness. He frequently operates in the half-spaces, those nebulous areas between the opposition’s midfield and defense, where he can receive the ball with options to turn, pass, or carry into dangerous areas.
Johnny Cardoso: The USMNT Midfielder Making an Instant Impact at Real Betis
His heat map in matches reveals a concentration in these zones, showcasing his preference for areas where he can have the greatest impact. His positioning isn’t just about being in the right place; it’s about creating angles for teammates, stretching defenses, and opening up passing lanes that were previously invisible.
Progressive Passing and Playmaking
One of Lo Celso’s most potent assets is his passing ability, particularly his progressive passes that slice through defenses. He combines vision with technical skill, often finding teammates in positions to exploit.
His passes are not just about moving the ball forward but about changing the direction of attack, breaking lines, and instigating transitions from defense to attack. His contribution in this area isn’t merely about numbers; it’s about the quality of those passes, their weight, and the timing, which often catches defenders off-guard.
Positional Fluidity and Transition Play
Lo Celso’s versatility on the pitch is another cornerstone of his tactical value. He doesn’t adhere to a fixed role; instead, he fluidly moves between a deep-lying playmaker, a box-to-box midfielder, and even an attacking midfielder when needed. This fluidity allows him to adapt to the ebb and flow of the game, making him invaluable during transitions.
His ability to read the game means he’s often found at the heart of rapid counter-attacks or pivotal in slowing down the opponent’s advances by dropping deep to receive the ball. This versatility has perhaps hurt him in the past wherein he was somewhat a jack-of-all-trades however, this tactical fluidity should only be an asset in the modern game.
Dictating Tempo and Game Management
Beyond his physical contributions, Lo Celso’s psychological impact on the game is significant. He has a knack for dictating the tempo, knowing when to inject pace into the game or slow it down to manage possession.
His calmness under pressure, especially in congested areas, allows him to control the game’s flow. This aspect of his play is crucial in tight matches where maintaining composure can be the difference between winning and drawing or losing.
Play Style
Lo Celso represents a modern midfielder who combines traditional playmaking with a tactical acumen suited for the contemporary game. His influence isn’t measured solely by goals or assists but by the nuanced ways he shapes matches.
His effectiveness in half-spaces, his role in transition phases, and his game management skills make him a unique asset on the pitch. At his best, any team he plays on has a player that fits into multiple tactical schemes, gaining not just a player but a conductor of play, orchestrating moves that can turn matches in their favor.
Data Analysis
Giovani Lo Celso, having returned to LaLiga with Real Betis, continues to showcase his unique blend of creativity and tactical intelligence. His performance statistics from this season reveal a player who not only contributes directly to scoring but also significantly impacts the game’s structure and flow. This analysis delves into how these stats reflect his tactical role and effectiveness within a modern football setup (all stats provided by FBRef).
Goal Scoring and Shot Creation
Lo Celso’s non-penalty goal rate of 0.58 per 90 minutes places him in the 89th percentile among attacking midfielders in Europe, highlighting his knack for finding the back of the net. However, his non-penalty expected goals (npxG) at 0.18 per 90 suggest he’s overperforming his expected output, possibly due to excellent positioning or finishing (53rd percentile).
His shot-creating actions are exceptionally high at 6.46 per 90 (98th percentile), indicating he’s a pivotal figure in setting up attacks. This aligns with his role as a creative hub, where his ability to initiate plays leads to numerous goal-scoring opportunities for his team.
Passing and Ball Progression
Lo Celso’s passing statistics are a testament to his role as a playmaker. With 60.81 passes attempted per 90 (98th percentile), he’s heavily involved in maintaining possession and dictating play. The Argentine’s pass completion rate of 77.0% (69th percentile) is respectable, considering the complexity and risk involved in many of his passes.
His progressive passes (8.88 per 90, 98th percentile) and expected assisted goals (xAG) of 0.32 per 90 (89th percentile) underline his skill in advancing the ball into dangerous areas and setting up scoring chances. However, his lower percentile in progressive carries (8th) suggests he’s more of a passer than a dribbler in moving the ball forward.
Defensive Contributions and Transition
Despite being an attacking midfielder, Lo Celso’s defensive stats are noteworthy. His tackling rate (2.65 per 90, 98th percentile) is unusually high for his position, showcasing his commitment to winning back possession and his role in transitioning from defense to attack.
His interceptions, while not as high (34th percentile), still contribute to disrupting the opposition’s flow. This dual-phase involvement in the game makes him invaluable during transitions, both defensively and offensively.
Limitations and Areas for Improvement
Areas where Lo Celso could potentially improve include his presence in the attacking penalty area (34th percentile for touches) and his involvement in receiving progressive passes (15th percentile), which could enhance his effectiveness in the final third. His aerial ability (47th percentile for aerials won) suggests he’s not a significant threat from headers, but this is less critical for his primary role.
Photo: FBCharts
Aggregate Analysis
Giovani Lo Celso’s statistical profile in LaLiga this season paints the picture of a midfielder who excels at orchestrating play, both in creating chances and in the transition phases of the game. His ability to dominate in areas like shot creation, progressive passing, and defensive contributions underlines his tactical versatility and importance to his team.
While there are areas for refinement, particularly in direct involvement in LaLiga this season, his current performance metrics affirm his status as a key tactical component in any side he plays for. His game is not just about individual brilliance but about enhancing the collective performance, making him a true maestro of midfield.
By: @free__flowing
Featured Image: @Juanffran / Getty Images – Tottenham Hotspur FC