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Eduardo Camavinga: Profile
Name: Eduardo Camavinga
Date of birth: Nov 10, 2002
Nationality: France
Position: Central midfield
Height: 1.82m
Eduardo Camavinga: Introduction
Eduardo Camavinga is viewed by many as one of Europe’s most exciting young players. With a height of 6 foot, the Frenchman is deceivingly fast and agile, capable of beating opposing players with ease. But his abilities as a central midfielder go beyond those of just a tricky player. Competency in and out of possession, timing of passes and tackles, the work ethic to rival any player and the end product of a man well beyond his age. This French star is destined for big things.
Eduardo Camavinga: Background
The midfielder, during a previous interview, recounted the story of how he was recruited: “I remember it perfectly. It was at Paron Sud. We got smashed then! (0-3, but Rennes would usually win these matches by eight or nine goals) Everyone came to see us. I switched between left-back and centre-back. Since that day, Mathieu wanted me to join Rennes,” he said.
“He spoke with my coaches and my parents. And then, he said to me: “Would you be ok to come and do a tournament with Rennes?” I couldn’t believe it. Rennes was a big club. It never made me scared, but I never felt better than others either, never. What followed, was that I played with Rennes and I was taken on. That’s all.”
Camavinga went on to become Rennes’ youngest ever professional player, after signing with the club just after his 16th birthday. 3 months later, he made his senior debut, in the process becoming the youngest player to ever line out for Les Rouge et Noir.
And the records have since only continued to fall – in September of 2020, Camavinga became the youngest full French international of all-time, at 17 years of age. Not only did he play, but the Rennes man even managed to score on his debut.
🇫🇷 Camavinga se convirtió en el jugador más joven en marcar con Francia desde 1914… 🤯
💫 Nombra a un jugador con más potencial…#NationsLeague | @equipedefrance pic.twitter.com/YkoczCWNpV
— UEFA.com en español (@UEFAcom_es) October 11, 2020
Regarding his style of play, Camavinga has been quick to reference how hard work is just as important as natural ability. “What I value most is work ethic. I like to do the running for my teammates. If I don’t work hard on the pitch, my mum would drag me off it by me ears. And my dad too.”
“Everything they have they have earned by working hard. Even in the toughest moments, they have sweated to make sure we didn’t want for anything. So I see it as logical that now it’s my turn. Now I work hard. In any case, without hard work, I wouldn’t have made it this far.”
Expert insight on Eduardo Camavinga
“Eduardo Camavinga has already shown the potential to become the best midfielder in the world. What type of midfielder is up to him – he can tackle, he can run all day and he has a great eye for a final ball too.
He is a little more comfortable with a more defensively-minded partner alongside him, giving him more freedom to push forward and he will likely fall into a truly central midfield role – but that doesn’t mean he is all graft and physicality – he has the guile as well. He is excellent at finding space, he has great ball control and can work in tight spaces as well as push forward with the ball at his feet, and he has a good set piece delivery and shot on him too.
What is most impressive though is his temperament. He has been totally unfazed by his quick rise from Rennes’ first team, to a well-publicised man-of-the-match performance against PSG, to breaking into the France U21 team and finally becoming a full French international in which his first start was marked with a goal through a cleverly improvised overhead kick.
His versatility is likely to make him a very important part of the France squad, able to play in a midfield two or three or even in a wider role. Similar to that of a largely upgraded Blaise Matuidi.”
Tactical Overview of Eduardo Camavinga
Eduardo Camavinga is already so gifted in so many aspects of the midfield role. A wonderfully technical player, the Frenchman glides across the pitch and maintains a high work ethic, tracking back when necessary.
He is capable of lining out as a 6, an 8 or even in a wider birth.
Camavinga’s pace and elegance on the ball enable him to beat opposition players with ease. Despite his height of 6 foot, he plays with a centre of gravity befitting of a much smaller player. In this way, the teen can shift his weight from side to side quickly, making difficult pieces of skill look absolutely effortless.
Technical and dribbling ability, though, is of course nothing without end product. The Frenchman can and does score goals, including, as outlined above, on his France debut.
Camavinga’s passing, meanwhile, is also impressive. He is capable of executing cross-field balls to create for his teammates in dangerous positions on the pitch. The key to Camavinga’s game is a consistent drive to keep his side on the front foot.
Finally, Camavinga’s work ethic is up there with the very best. When out of possession, the Frenchman craves the ball, constantly attempting to recover it for his team. Capable of tracking back, spotting opportunities to tackle and typically winning his challenges, too, describing Camavinga as the complete midfielder is almost an understatement.
Camavinga is a truly special player. His ceiling is limitless, as evidenced by the early years of his fledgling career. His technical skill, body structure, stamina, passing quality and work ethic combine to paint the picture of a player in his prime years – not the very beginning of his football journey. The Frenchman is a role model for players not only his junior, but stars of any age.
The story of Camavinga is one which the entirety of Europe should take great interest in.
