THE SECRET SCOUT: Huddersfield's Lewis O'Brien is a quality playmaker

THE SECRET SCOUT: Huddersfield’s Lewis O’Brien is a high quality playmaker with lovely balance… but he needs a selfish streak in front of goal

  • Lewis O’Brien is a playmaker who already has 100 games in his short career
  • He has lovely balance and there is an expectation every time he touches the ball 
  • His scoring record is not great and he must be more selfish in the final third

Our scout is a top football expert who attends matches each week searching for the next star.

This week, Huddersfield’s 22-year-old midfielder, Lewis O’Brien is under the spotlight…  

Lewis O’Brien is an adept playmaker and has undoubted quality on the ball for Huddersfield

WHAT HAS HE GOT?

A midfielder must be a challenger, a playmaker or a scorer. Occasionally you see somebody who has two of these qualities. Very rarely someone such as the great Bryan Robson comes along with all three.

This 22-year-old is the playmaking type who has already packed more than 100 games into his short career. A friend suggested I assess him and I was pleasantly surprised by his quality. 

Playing on the left side of a midfield three, he showed enough ability to make me query why he has not played at a higher level. Here, I saw calmness, composure and the vision to spot a precise pass.

When hemmed in by the corner flag, he produced a lovely shimmy to cross a delightful deep ball. He was the hub of the team and there was an expectation that when he was on the ball near the opponents’ penalty area, he would create a goal chance.

At close quarters, he showed lovely balance as he trapped the ball in one movement, and slid it past two challenges.

O’Brien is only slight and he needs to be goal-conscious, because his scoring record is not great. He must think a little more selfishly when in the final third.

He shows a silky touch but needs responsive colleagues and a system that suits.

Free of injury and with a fair run, the midfielder may get a chance higher up. He has style and a football brain.


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