Nathan De Cat: Why Bayern Munich have joined race for young star?

The transfer rumour mill goes overboard during the international breaks. However, Bayern Munich are keenly following some of the young stars. The defending Bundesliga champions have expressed concrete interest in 17-year-old talent Nathan De Cat.

According to Florian Plettenberg and Patrick Berger, Anderlecht is asking in the realm of €25 million for one of the most well-regarded talents in club history. Bayern will have to compete with other Bundesliga giants Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen for the signature of this highly touted midfielder.

The Belgian midfielder can be seen as a future replacement for Leon Goretzka, who may be on his way out of the Allianz Arena next summer when his contract expires.

De Cat shares many face-value similarities with Goretzka: a trigger-happy midfielder with top-notch physicality. At 17, the Belgian wonderkid already stands at nearly 6'3 and has a body built for top-flight football. Yet, watching him play would show that he's more of a Joshua Kimmich archetype than Leon Goretzka.

Nathan De Cat has some outstanding traits in his playstyle that make him tactically fit for Vincent Kompany's Bayern.

Aggressive progressive passer

If anyone examines the passing statistics of Nathan De Cat, the first reaction may be that this guy is terrible. Only 37 passes attempted per game and a measly 72% completion percentage, sitting in the bottom 10 per cent of midfielders in the top 14 competitions.

However, his tape shows the reasoning behind these underwhelming numbers. De Cat usually sits the deepest in any midfield set-up and attempts a lot of long balls and line-breaking passes that aim to advance the ball quickly to the opposition's penalty area.

In build-up situations, De Cat prefers to sit deep and spray long switches and through balls, setting up wingers in big chance situations. He is not your prototypical lengthy, physical box crasher like the McTominays or the Fellainis.

This playstyle comes with a cost: more risk means more reward, but also means more misplaced passes.

The upside in the chance-creating department is definitely visible in Nathan De Cat's game. Under the mentorship of one of world football's best deep-lying playmakers, Joshua Kimmich, the Belgian youngster can flourish into one of the most proficient in the sport.

Tight space specialist

One of the most phenomenal aspects of De Cat's game is his ability to read the game and make decisions in a split second.

He has a lovely first touch and turn that allows him to navigate in tighter areas and diffuse the opponent's pressing scheme.

The Belgian U17 star also loves a one-touch pass, and he is comfortable making them regardless of distance.

De Cat can be a perfect fit in Vincent Kompany's fast-paced build-up that utilises a lot of touch-and-go and one-two punches between the players

Questionable defensively

Despite playing mostly as a defensive midfielder in a double pivot at Anderlecht, Nathan De Cat does not contribute too efficiently out of possession.

He is below par in tackling and intercepting the football. His aerial duels are also underwhelming, considering his towering height.

Some scouts also put a question mark on his agility, which sometimes hinders him from tracking back and making turns on the defensive end. There is clearly a bit of an issue with monitoring his lengthy body and using it to his advantage on defence.

Still a raw talent...

With that being said, he has a very well-rounded skillset for a player 17 years of age. Now with some top-flight experience around his belt in the Belgian league, De Cat will surely improve in the years to come.

He is already very comfortable playing the modern game with brilliant footballing IQ at this age.
He is still very young, and his weaknesses can easily be solved with a decent coaching staff.

Just imagine Pavlovic, Bischof, Musiala and De Cat in the midfield. Just mouth-watering!

Stats courtesy: FBRef