Eduardo Camavinga has a rare, high-upside skill-set
Young players often have inflated price tags because teams are projecting their future value. It’s part of the reason why Ben White and Raphael Varane went for around the same money, though there are obviously other factors at play in why Varane was so much cheaper than expected. Still, age is the biggest factor governing transfers, because teams selling young prospects know that they could be worth a ton to a team in the future.
Camavinga is one of the most high-upside young players there is. He is only 18 years old, but he is already experienced in the Champions League, Ligue 1, the French national team, and the Europa League. As a 16-year-old, Camavinga emerged on Real Madrid’s radar after owning PSG’s midfield in the 2019-2020 season. And he has already scored a goal for the most talented national team on the planet.
The midfielder once had more than four tackles per game in Ligue 1…as a 16/17-year-old. Last season, Camavinga, per WhoScored.com, averaged 2.8 dribbles completed per game, 1.8 key passes per game, and 1.5 fouls drawn per game in the Champions League group stages last season, too. And that was part of what was considered a less impressive season than his 2019-2020 display.
Camavinga is an excellent ball-progressor who can carry the ball up the pitch, and he is also a fantastic ball-winner. His passing and technical quality meet expectations, especially for his age, and they are only going to get better as he obtains more experience. Being at Real Madrid and training with the midfielders there can only help, too.
There are weaknesses to his game, sure, but they are minute and will improve. His strengths are already match-winning, as there are very few better progressors and winners of the ball in Europe’s top five leagues.