Joakim Mæhle

DOB: 20/5/1997 (22)

Nationality: Denmark

Club: KRC Genk

Tactical:

Mæhle is a very interesting player when it comes to his tactical attributes. In Genk’s system, he plays as a right-sided fullback in a four at the back system. However, he does like to get forward, and stay forward, making him susceptible on the counter attack. He also has the ability to play on either side of the defensive line, making him positionally flexible if there is an injury crisis or a change of system by Genk. He really likes to get involved in the build-up play on the right side of the field, with him constantly being in the opponent’s third and trying to drive to the byline with the ball. Sometimes he starts as a right or left sided midfielder, which I feel suits his play style more than being a traditional fullback. I feel that he would excel in a system that plays a three at the back where he could play a more advanced role and get more out of him tactically.

Technical:

When it comes to Mæhle’s technical attributes, he is a bit raw in certain things and excels in others. His passing ability is one of his strengths, with him completing over two-thirds of his passes attempted. Most of these passes occur higher up the pitch, when Genk get possession and push into the opposition’s third. He also is strong with the ball at his feet, and his dribbling ability is very good for a fullback of his stature. He frequently likes to take on defenders, and attempt to dribble past them. This dribbling ability was really put to show at the U-21 Euros with Denmark, where he dribbled past the defenders before playing a one-two with his teammate and then dinking it over the keeper. 

However, he is susceptible to getting caught ball watching, making it easy for players to get in behind him. He will sometimes tunnel onto the ball and stop paying attention to the other players around him, which makes teams like to attack down his side. Defensively, he is very raw. He does not win many of his aerial duels and does not win many of his tackles either. He seems to get bullied off the ball easily at times, but on his day, he could put in a very solid defensive showing.  With some more defensive coaching, he could become a very good fullback in both aspects of his game. 

Physical:

Physically, Mæhle stands at 6ft1 and has a lean body type. He does lack some pace as a fullback, with him not able to chase down the faster wingers in the Belgian Pro League once they get past him. His shielding on the ball is not the best, with him easily able to get bullied off the ball at times. Even though he has the advantage of being a taller fullback, he does not win many aerial duels, winning less than half of his duels attempted this season. When it comes to his physical attributes, he checks out better as being a wide midfielder in a three as opposed to staying as a traditional fullback in a four. 

Summary:

Joakim Mæhle is someone who is in an interesting place in his career. At only 22, he still has the ability to develop more as a defender and become a very good fullback. If he gets better defensively and stays as a fullback, he compares well to PSG’s Thomas Meunier. Like Mæhle, Muenier is a fullback who likes to get forward and be involved in the build-up play in the opponent’s third, but can also be susceptible defensively. However, Tuchel occasionally will line PSG up in a 3-4-3 with Meunier playing as a right sided midfielder, which puts Meunier in a position that plays to his stronger attributes. 

While Mæhle still has the ability to become like Meunier and get better at the defensive side of his game, I still feel that a change of position for Mæhle could help him play more to his strengths if he moved to a bigger side