Sergio Reguilón

DOB: 16/12/1996 (23)

Nationality: Spain

Position: LB

Club: Sevilla FC (on loan from Real Madrid CF)

Tactical:

Tactically, Reguilón is the definition of a modern day fullback in football. He likes to get forward and join the attack but still has the work rate to track back and help defensively as well. Under Julen Lopetegui at Sevilla, he has a manager who knows him from his time at Real Madrid. Reguilón plays as a left back in Lopetegui’s either 4-4-2, or 4-1-4-1 formation. At Sevilla, Lopetegui gives both of his fullbacks the freedom to move forward and join the attack, while the two center backs normally play a higher line while attacking. If not, one of the midfielders will drop in and form a back three while the fullbacks are in the opponent’s third. Reguilón likes to get forward to cross the ball into the box, but he is also not afraid to attempt a shot from outside the box as well. In regards to set-pieces, corners in particular, Reguilón likes to stay on the outside of the box, whether that is to shoot first time if the ball drops to him, or being the quickest in defense, be ready to stop an opponent’s counter if the ball falls to them. He does sometimes have lapses in concentration while defending, but that is something that is common in someone who does not play a lot of first team football. His work rate is also fantastic, with him constantly pressuring opposition that are not quick enough to pass out from the back, and also has the stamina to be able to maintain this work rate for the full 90 minutes.

Technical:

Technically, Reguilón is very good with the ball at his feet. He does like to dribble a lot and drive forward with the ball at his feet, and he is also good at receiving the ball and then looking up to find a teammate, as opposed to driving up the byline with the ball. When he does carry the ball forward, he has lightning quick pace to get past opposition defenders, but some times he will overrun the ball and subsequently lose possession as a result. He likes to play very wide to the touchline, but will come in more centrally in certain situations to overload the midfield and play almost as another midfielder. In some matches that I have watched of Sevilla, Reguilón does not get a lot of the ball, even when he is in lots of space. I have witnessed multiple times Reguilón being in plenty of space and calling for the ball on the left, but he does not get noticed. When he does receive the ball however, he does maintain a pass accuracy of about 80% this season, and that is with over 1000 passes attempted.

Physical:

Physically, Reguilón is not the tallest fullback, and therefore is not good in the aerial duels, winning less than half of his aerial duels attempted. However, he is slightly better when it comes to winning possession in the tackle, with him being successful in slightly over half of his tackles attempted. Reguilón is lightning quick, and this is his biggest asset in my opinion. His acceleration is something that impresses me the most, with him able to get up to his top speed rapidly, which gives him the ability to fly past most fullbacks in La Liga, and once he gets past them, they usually are not able to catch up to him. He is also however prone to being muscled off the ball by taller, stronger forwards, but usually is able to hold his own against most opposition players.

Summary:

In conclusion, Reguilón is very much a bright prospect and has the abilities to be able to play in Europe’s biggest sides, but I feel that will not be Real Madrid. The capital club already has Marcelo at left back, who, even though is getting older, is one of the best left backs in the world. Also, last summer, Madrid purchased Ferland Mendy from Lyon, which in turn made Reguilón Madrid’s third choice fullback and resulted in him joining his former manager in Andalusia on loan for the season. I could see Reguilón joining Sevilla on a permanent deal in the summer, and if he doesn’t, I can see many top clubs knocking on Real Madrid’s door for his services.