Zeno Debast: Sporting’s New Colossus in Central Defense
Belgian football has a habit of producing exceptional young talent. From Eden Hazard to Romelu Lukaku, the Red Devils’ conveyor belt of stars shows no sign of slowing down, though there hasn’t been a surge of defenders in recent times, in the heart of defence, there’s a new name capturing the imagination: Zeno Debast.
At just 20, Debast has already made significant strides. His journey from the Anderlecht academy to the Belgian national team has been rapid, marked by performances that suggest he could be the next cornerstone of the Red Devils’ defence and perhaps a soon to be in-demand defender across Europe. His move to Sporting CP this summer represents a big step in his career, and early signs suggest he’d thrive in Portugal.
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Technical Skills
Zeno Debast is a technically gifted defender. His passing range is exceptional, with the ability to switch play accurately or play incisive through balls. His ball-carrying ability is another standout attribute, allowing him to progress the ball out from the back with composure.
Despite his imposing physicality, Debast is surprisingly nimble on the ball, capable of executing intricate passes under pressure, this is evidenced in his ability to carry out of the backline. His defensive technique is also refined, with excellent tackling and interception skills.
His comfort in covering lateral space also suggests that he’s be comfortable in a defensive fullback role, or as he’d be used under Amorim, a wide center back in a 3 man defence. The Belgian can be trusted in defending 1v1 against opposition wingers, a trait that’ll only become a stronger with experience. Moreover, Debast’s underlying numbers suggest he is a player who contributes more in the build-up play than in terms of goalscoring.
While he has a respectable expected goals (xG) of 0.96, he has yet to find the net in the games played so far. This could be due to a number of factors, such as the role he plays in his team’s attacking strategy or simply a bit of bad luck in front of goal. However, his ability to create chances is evident in his high expected assists (xA) of 1.97. He averages 0.4 key passes per game, suggesting he is a creative outlet for his team in the final third.
Physical Attributes
Debast is a physical specimen. Standing at 6’2”, he dominates the air, winning aerial duels with ease. His strength is evident in his ability to hold off opponents and win possession in one-on-one battles, either wide or centrally. He combines this physicality with surprising mobility, allowing him to cover ground quickly and recover defensively. Debast has a powerful lower body, exerting his strength in his ground duels, consequently though,his aerial defending suffers.
Mental Attributes
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Debast’s game is his mental acuity. His reading of the game is exceptional, allowing him to anticipate danger and intercept passes before they become dangerous. Moreover, his composure on the ball is remarkable for a young defender, and he shows a maturity beyond his years in his decision-making.
Debast is a composed and assured passer of the ball. His overall passing accuracy sits at an impressive 84%, with a completion rate of 92% in his own half. This indicates a player who is comfortable playing out from the back and initiating attacks with short passes.
His accuracy tends to drop slightly when attempting longer passes (72% for opposition half passes and 52% for long balls), but this is still a respectable return for a young defender. It will be interesting to see if he can develop his long-range passing further as he gains more experience.
He is also a natural leader, capable of organizing his defense and inspiring his teammates. Debast is a solid presence at the heart of the backline. He averages 1.0 interception and 1.5 tackles per game, demonstrating his ability to read the game and win the ball back for his team.
His aerial presence is also strong, winning over half of his aerial duels (51%). Notably, he has only committed one error leading to a goal last season, which highlights his positional discipline and concentration. An interesting stat is the relatively high number of yellow cards (8) Debast has accumulated. While on paper this could be a sign of overzealousness at times, it is actually more indicative of his aggressive defending style.
Playing Style
Debast is a modern-day defender. He is comfortable in possession and is capable of initiating attacks from deep, through his passing and carries. However, his primary focus is on defensive solidity. He is a dominant presence in his duels, a good box defender when isolated, and his ability to read the game allows him to make crucial interceptions. He is also strong in one-on-one defending, using his physicality to good effect.
Potential
With his combination of technical ability, physical attributes, and mental sharpness, Zeno Debast has the potential to develop into one of the world’s elite defenders. At just 20 years old, he already possesses the qualities to excel at the highest level. Under Amorim who has a proven record of improving young players, Debast will surely grow into one of Europe’s best, and his decision to join Sporting this summer will be vindicated.
By: @free__flowing
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Quality Sport Images / Getty Images