In the heart of Ecuador, a promising young talent is making waves in the football world. Justin Lerma, the 15-year-old sensation from Independiente del Valle (IDV), stands at 5'9 with a wiry, athletic build and a powerful right foot. Hailing from one of South America's top academies, Lerma exhibits a potent combination of strengths and future capabilities that will excite clubs and fans around the world
Figure 1: Lerma's Performance Profile
Strengths: A Dynamic Force on the Field
Lerma's game is marked by his explosive speed and remarkable power. With an electric turn of pace, he navigates the field with finesse. His close control and dribbling abilities are exceptional, allowing him to initiate attacks and score a variety of goals. The young talent's versatility is a key asset, especially as a running box-to-box number 8. We see this in his suitability index below, compared to IDV's Mercado who was profiled by SAFA when he was two years older than Lerma is now. Mercado's scores generally are slightly higher and demonstrate his capabilities as a Tactician or Ball Player. Lerma's scores are fairly consistent, demonstrating his versatility but his scores as a strong, running, box to box midfielder already outperform Mercado's, demonstrating his prowess and early maturity in these aspects of his game.
Areas for Improvement: Nurturing Raw Talent
At 15, Lerma is undeniably raw. While his physical attributes shine, there's room for improvement in his game intelligence. Appropriate coaching, particularly in out-of-possession and defensive aspects, will be crucial for his progression. Lerma tends to rely on vertical movements, highlighting the need to enhance his ability to back up teammates and support the play. Anticipating developing play is another area requiring attention; currently, he is overly reliant on his physical capability, reacting swiftly using his pace and power to overcome challenges and problem solve in unstructured situations. Additionally, Lerma is very one-footed, emphasising the importance of refining his skills on his non-dominant foot as he progresses.
Verdict: The Making of a Future Star
Despite areas that demand refinement, Lerma exhibits all the qualities of a future star. The coaching environment at IDV is poised to nurture his potential, providing the necessary guidance for his growth. We comprehensively analysed Lerma's performances against youth sides such as Orense and Mushuc Runa, and with due respect, this has become too easy for him. He is given too much time and space to play and is competing against less physically developed opponents, signaling the need for more challenging opposition to propel his progress.
An exceptional athlete, Lerma's journey is one of refinement. Expected to secure game time at IDV in the upcoming season, he aims to position himself for a significant move in the future, akin to compatriots Caicedo and Paez. Here at SAFA, the excitement surrounding Justin Lerma's potential is palpable, and we eagerly anticipate witnessing his evolution on the football stage. Stay tuned for updates on this rising star's journey to excellence.
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