Player Analysis: Alonso Coello
The former Atletico and Rayo Vallecano midfielder is looking to cement his place as one of the top midfielders in MLS following a breakout 2023 campaign.
What makes the Spaniard stand out?
Deep-dive thread and article below! 🧵👇🏼
The former Atletico and Rayo Vallecano midfielder is looking to cement his place as one of the top midfielders in MLS following a breakout 2023 campaign.
What makes the Spaniard stand out?
Deep-dive thread and article below! 🧵👇🏼
Player Info:
Club: Toronto FC
Nationality: Spain
Age: 24 (Born 1999)
Position: Centre-midfielder, centre-defensive-midfielder
Preferred foot: Right
Height: 1.85
Weight: 82kg
Club: Toronto FC
Nationality: Spain
Age: 24 (Born 1999)
Position: Centre-midfielder, centre-defensive-midfielder
Preferred foot: Right
Height: 1.85
Weight: 82kg
Despite playing for the worst team in the league, Alonso Coello made a name for himself in MLS 2023. The rookie impressed with his top quality technical ability and his reading of the game, both offensively and defensively.
TFC typically used a 4-3-3, with Coello in the middle, at the base of the 3. He was the metronome of TFC’s midfield - almost every attack started through him. When TFC progressed up the pitch, he would remain deeper to provide a reset/circulation option.
Technical:
Coello’s technical level stands out on first watch - his football education is evident. He shows high levels of technical empathy in his actions and is always comfortable on the ball, even under pressure.
Coello’s technical level stands out on first watch - his football education is evident. He shows high levels of technical empathy in his actions and is always comfortable on the ball, even under pressure.
First Touch:
Coello has a good first touch - gets the ball out a foot in front of him, setting him up well for his next action - usually a pass. It is worth nothing that almost every pass he receives is a ground pass - he hardly has to use different parts of his body to receive.
Coello has a good first touch - gets the ball out a foot in front of him, setting him up well for his next action - usually a pass. It is worth nothing that almost every pass he receives is a ground pass - he hardly has to use different parts of his body to receive.
Close Control:
Coello stays extremely calm under pressure. He is always aware of his surroundings and seems to know the best exit when he’s trapped. He uses clever touches and feints to get out of pressure well - never panicking. He does not tend to carry the ball up the pitch.
Coello stays extremely calm under pressure. He is always aware of his surroundings and seems to know the best exit when he’s trapped. He uses clever touches and feints to get out of pressure well - never panicking. He does not tend to carry the ball up the pitch.
Passing:
Coello is already one of the best passers in MLS. He has top tier technical empathy, his teammates hardly ever have to readjust/check their runs when receiving a pass from him. His long balls and switches are often well-weighted and accurate. He is a great outlet passer.
Coello is already one of the best passers in MLS. He has top tier technical empathy, his teammates hardly ever have to readjust/check their runs when receiving a pass from him. His long balls and switches are often well-weighted and accurate. He is a great outlet passer.
He is not just limited to passes around/over the opposition. He has a good eye for a line-breaking pass/through ball. Again, most of his passes are properly weighted and hitting the back foot of his teammates, even the riskier passes through crowds of players.
Tackling:
Coello has a large frame which he uses to win the ball back in defensive duels. He is very good at unsettling the on ball opp., ‘snapping’ at the ball while trying to win it back. When defending out wide, he uses the touchline well to swarm the opp. and corner them in.
Coello has a large frame which he uses to win the ball back in defensive duels. He is very good at unsettling the on ball opp., ‘snapping’ at the ball while trying to win it back. When defending out wide, he uses the touchline well to swarm the opp. and corner them in.
His lunging tackles are well timed, hardly ever giving away a foul. Coello is great at placing his body in between the attacker and the ball following a loose touch - protecting the ball and ensuring it stays in TFC’s possession.
Tactical:
Coello has a great understanding of tempo and reads the game very well both offensively and defensively. He uses his high footballing IQ to make up for his slight lack of mobility.
Coello has a great understanding of tempo and reads the game very well both offensively and defensively. He uses his high footballing IQ to make up for his slight lack of mobility.
Movement and Positioning:
In the first phase, Coello usually splits his 2 CBs, providing an option for central progression. Once TFC enter the opp’s half, Coello sits deep and becomes the ‘reset’ option - his teammates look to recycle through him when they are under pressure.
In the first phase, Coello usually splits his 2 CBs, providing an option for central progression. Once TFC enter the opp’s half, Coello sits deep and becomes the ‘reset’ option - his teammates look to recycle through him when they are under pressure.
He rarely pushes up when he is the lone pivot - following Ibarra’s arrival in June, however, he was more comfortable to attack space vertically instead of horizontally. I believe his passing ability could help TFC in the final third and unlock another facet of Alonso’s game. 👇🏼
Scanning:
Coello constantly scans the pitch when TFC have the ball and it is evident that he gathers a lot of information from his scans. Hardly ever turning into pressure or taking extra touches while defenders are around. He always seems to know what his next action will be.
Coello constantly scans the pitch when TFC have the ball and it is evident that he gathers a lot of information from his scans. Hardly ever turning into pressure or taking extra touches while defenders are around. He always seems to know what his next action will be.
After playing a pass, he is constantly seen directing his teammates as to where the ball should go before his teammates have even received the pass. He is always thinking one or two passes ahead. His constant scanning allows him to paint a clear picture of the pitch in his head.
Anticipation:
Alonso is not the quickest player, but he makes up for this OOP by reading the game well and closing off passing lanes/stepping in front of an opponent to reach the ball ahead of the intended receiver. He is there often and early, unsettling the opposition.
Alonso is not the quickest player, but he makes up for this OOP by reading the game well and closing off passing lanes/stepping in front of an opponent to reach the ball ahead of the intended receiver. He is there often and early, unsettling the opposition.
Physical:
Standing at 6’1, 181lbs, Coello has a big frame that he uses to his advantage, as I mentioned above. However, it does hinder him occasionally with regard to speed and mobility. He has a quick initial burst, but gets out run by fast opponents over longer distances.
Standing at 6’1, 181lbs, Coello has a big frame that he uses to his advantage, as I mentioned above. However, it does hinder him occasionally with regard to speed and mobility. He has a quick initial burst, but gets out run by fast opponents over longer distances.
Leap:
Alonso has a good vertical leap and a good timing of his jump. He combines both of these elements to effectively contest second balls and long balls coming from the opponent.
Alonso has a good vertical leap and a good timing of his jump. He combines both of these elements to effectively contest second balls and long balls coming from the opponent.
Psychological:
- High-level understanding of the game on both sides of the ball, always thinking ahead, attempting to guide teammates
- Confident in his ability. Trusted on the ball by both teammates and coaches. Confidence to try ‘riskier’ line-breaking/lofted passes
- High-level understanding of the game on both sides of the ball, always thinking ahead, attempting to guide teammates
- Confident in his ability. Trusted on the ball by both teammates and coaches. Confidence to try ‘riskier’ line-breaking/lofted passes
Areas of Improvement:
- Use of weak foot
- Movement after pass + forward movement
- Demanding the ball
- Defensive scanning
- Use of weak foot
- Movement after pass + forward movement
- Demanding the ball
- Defensive scanning
Coello first stood out to me when I was at BMO Field watching TFC vs NYCFC. His technique was a level above most players despite it being only the second start of his professional career. He is a great tempo controller and should only improve under new manager John Herdman.
His game reminds me of Busquets (not AS good, of course) - not the quickest, but makes up for it in intelligence and top-tier technical ability. His composure is another aspect of his game that reminds me of Busquets - I wouldn’t be surprised if Sergio was his idol.
Should he continue to improve at the same rate this season, I think he can become one of the top midfielders in MLS. He only turns 25 in October - following a good season, a move to a Conference League or even a Europa League club in Jan. 2025 should not be ruled out.
Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed and would like to learn more about Alonso Coello, please consider reading the article linked below, where I go into more detail about his strengths and weaknesses.
Likes/RTs/feedback are always appreciated!
open.substack.com
Likes/RTs/feedback are always appreciated!
open.substack.com
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