Scout Report: Brahim Diaz, City's Spanish Messi who is ready to join Madrid

Welcome to All Football Scouting Report, in here we will take you a closer look at world's promising stars. Brahim Diaz, the prodigious young Spaniard from Man City's football academy who may soon become a big star.

Brahim has made his debut for Spain U21s and has played for City in four games: three in the League Cup and one in the Community Shield.

After his brace against Fulham, David Silva labelled him "the future" of the Spanish national team. 

According to reports, Brahim Diaz has decided not to extend his contract at the Etihad Stadium and could leave in January or next summer. Real Madrid could sign the 19-year-old Spanish youth international as early as January

Who is Brahim Diaz

The Malaga-born Brahim Diaz began his footballing journey at the academy of his hometown club. Such were his performances during his time at the club that Manchester City, who were on the lookout for attracting the best young to its newly opened facility were willing to shell out £300,000 for the 14-year-old midfielder in 2013.

The player, who was also being tracked by Barcelona, even met the likes of Messi, Xavi and Iniesta but he ultimately decided to move to the Manchester club in order to ensure his development as a footballer. While the fee could rise to £2 million should he make the cut at the club, it could prove to be a pittance given the skill set the player possesses.

He was fast-tracked into the U-18 side at the age of 16 and has since established himself as one of the key young players for the side.

A promising young star with uncertain future

The talented Spaniard is an extremely bright prospect from City's football academy who may soon follow in the footsteps of Jadon Sancho, who has a great season so for at Dortmund.

(Jadon Sancho & Brahim Diaz celebrated Man City's FA Youth Cup 3-1 win vs Liverpool on 18 Jan 2017)

In his time with City, Brahim Diaz has amassed a total of 22 goals and 14 assists. Most of his goals and assists have come for the youth teams and Manchester City reserves. Only two of these goals have been for the senior team, both coming in the EFL cup this season.

One current dilemma is Brahim Diaz, the prodigious young Spaniard said to be attracting the attention of Real Madrid. 

(Marca: Brahim Diaz - Destination Madrid)

The talented teenage playmaker, capped regularly by his country at youth level, has had to make do with a couple of Carabao Cup appearances this season, with reports suggesting he is preparing to seek pastures new when his current City deal expires at the end of the season.

Style of Play and Strengths

Diaz’s playing style has seen him being dubbed as The Spanish Messi by a certain section of media. The diminutive attacking midfielder, who possesses a low centre of gravity has shown a penchant for twisting and turning his way past the opposition defenders. 

While not being the fastest man on the pitch, he uses his skill on the ball and an excellent close control to make space and time for himself in the opposition half.

Though he is primarily a left-footed player, he is very comfortable on either foot and is very tidy with his passing as well as in possession. 

A creative player who can make a defense-splitting pass and link up well with his attacking colleagues, Diaz is a constant menace to the opposition and adds immensely to the attacking threat of the side he plays in.

The player has a trick up his sleeve almost every single time and is a tough man to dispossess off the ball, making him a player in the mold of the current Manchester City superstar David Silva.

However, it is his goal-scoring ability that has caught the eye of a number of pundits across Europe. He is nimble in movement, constantly probes the opposition’s defense with his drilling runs and can finish the chances that come his way.

Weaknesses

At 19 years of age, while the Spaniard is still in a developmental stage as a player as well as an individual, he is of a slight frame, a trait that might not serve him best, should he be promoted to the main team. 

Also, his decision making could improve with age as well as extended playing time as he has shown a tendency to spend too much time on the ball despite being an advantageous situation.

Brahim Diaz - skills & goals