NetherlandsSven Botman | Scout Report
Career
| Season | Team | Team | National Team | Starts | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18/19 | Ajax Amsterdam B | 28 | 0 | 27 | 2 | 1 |
| 19/20 | SC Heerenveen | 30 | 0 | 30 | 2 | 4 |
| 20/21 | LOSC Lille | 48 | 0 | 46 | 0 | 1 |
| 21/22 | LOSC Lille | 33 | 0 | 33 | 3 | 1 |
| 22/23 | Newcastle United | 44 | 0 | 41 | 0 | 0 |
| 23/24 | Newcastle United | 22 | 0 | 20 | 2 | 2 |
| Total | - | 205 | 0 | 197 | 9 | 9 |
Sven Botman is a center back who arrived at Ajax at the age of 9, until he left on loan to Hereenveen where he was an undisputed starter in the Eredivisie at the age of 19. Thanks to the level shown during 19/20 he was transferred to Lille for €8M. There he was a starter from the first moment, becoming one of the best U23 centre-backs in the world. Being transfered in the summer of 2022 to Newcastle United (55M€), who had already tried to hire him in the January window.
Style of Play
He is a center back who wins more than 70% of aerial duels, very dominant when the opponent has few spaces. He makes good use of his body in all situations, moving really well and covering a lot of ground with his large strides, only suffers against very fast players.
Botman has a hard time defending positionally, especially when he has to decide between 2 players or choosing whether to defend the pass or the player carrying the ball.
He has a very high passing accuracy breaking lines, especially with the ground pass. He makes good decisions in the distribution, needing to improve on the long ball. Botman can drive forward very calmly looking for a passing lane.
Extraordinary ability to overcome adverse results during a match. When the team is losing he tends to win more duels, improve his game and be even more important.
Injuries
He has never been seriously injured. In 21/22 he accumulated 2 injuries, in a hamstring and a groin injury, which caused him to miss 3 months of competition.
Projection
Because of his physique, his constant performance since his professional debut, and having taken the right steps in his career from the Ajax academy, we are looking at a player who should become one of the best centre-backs in the world. His debut with the national team should be closer than ever and Newcastle’s project and his should grow at the same time.
He is a perfect centre-back for the Premier League, the place to show his top level, where he will become a dominant player in the competition in 2-3 years.