Luis Guilherme: Can West Ham Refine the Raw Diamond from São Paulo?
Born in the vibrant of São Paulo, Brazil, Luis Guilherme emerged from the fertile breeding ground of Palmeiras’ youth academy. A product of the city’s intense, football-obsessed culture, Guilherme’s journey to prominence was marked by raw talent many have come to expect from the Palmeiras academy.
Through the age groups, Guilherme’s electric pace and ability to glide past opponents caught the eye. The cauldron of Brazilian youth football, with its emphasis on flair, creativity, and physicality, shaped Guilherme into a player with a unique blend of athleticism and technical ability.
His rapid ascent through the Palmeiras ranks was a testament to his exceptional talent, as he showcased his potential on the grandest stage of Brazilian domestic football, appearing in the domestic Séria A and the Copa Libertadores. With every dazzling run and audacious dribble, Guilherme’s reputation grew, attracting the attention of clubs across Europe, with West Ham securing his signature in the summer of 2024.
Player Profile
Technical Profile
Guilherme’s technical profile is marked by raw potential. His dribbling is characterized by rapid changes of direction and low center of gravity, allowing him to effectively navigate tight spaces. His first touch is generally reliable, indicating a solid foundation for further technical development. However, his decision-making in the final third can be erratic, often favoring instinctive play over calculated actions, which is expected considering his level of experience/age. The youngster’s skillsets help him adaptable to a number of zones across the pitch, much like his current team.
Physical Attributes
Furthermore, his physical profile is exceptional, boasting a combination of power, speed, and agility is rare among professional footballers. His acceleration metrics are off the charts, making him a potent threat in behind defenses. His body composition is lean and muscular, suggesting potential for further physical development and increased durability. The Brazilian puts his core strength and frame to good use when maneuvering into space, witch also suggests potential to be a powerful carrier, not only relying on technical skills to gain advantages.
Jean-Clair Todibo Shining at the Allianz Riviera for OGC Nice
Mental Attributes
The Brazilian youngster exhibits a high level of aggression and competitiveness. His tenacious approach to the game can be an asset but can also lead to impulsive decision-making. His capacity for rapid information processing and decision-making under pressure will be crucial for his development. His mental profile should definitely aid in his quick adaptation to English football.
Playing Style
His playing style is predominantly vertical and direct, but he also excels in diagonal carries as well as of-ball runs. He excels at exploiting space in behind defensive lines with his exceptional speed. His dribbling is often aimed at progressing the ball quickly into dangerous areas. While his defensive contributions are limited, his ability to press from the front can disrupt opposition build-up.
In Possession
Guilherme is primarily a forward-facing player who thrives in attacking transitions. His direct dribbling style is often aimed at progressing the ball quickly into the opposition’s half. He has shown glimpses of ability to combine with teammates in tight spaces but primarily relies on individual brilliance to create opportunities. Guilherme’s quick feet also provide him and his teammates technical security in central zones as well as deeper spaces, making him adaptable to varying game states, which highlights his versatility.
Out of Possession
Guilherme’s defensive contributions are limited, with his primary focus on recovering possession through high-intensity pressing. His speed, physical composition and aggression make him a threat to win the ball back in the opposition’s half. However, his defensive positioning and awareness require improvement.
Potential
Luis Guilherme’s potential is undeniable. His physical attributes provide a strong foundation for a successful career. However, his technical refinement and tactical awareness will be crucial determinants of his ceiling. If he can marry his raw talent with improved decision-making and positional intelligence, he has the potential to become a world-class attacker, and an absolute steal for The Hammers.
By: @free__flowing
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Rhianna Chadwick – PA Images