Player Profile – Who is Leny Yoro and what can he bring to Ancelotti’s Real Madrid? | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s success last season might lead many to believe that the squad is already in perfect shape and that there’s no need to fix what is not broken

However, the Merengues are eager to leave no stone unturned ahead of next season and wish to make improvements in order to build on their previous achievements.

The departure of Nacho Fernandez and the injury crisis last season have only underscored the need for fortification in the squad this summer.

Securing Leny Yoro’s signature is one of the steps they intend to take to strengthen their defensive line.

Despite being inquired by various clubs, Yoro wishes only to don the Real Madrid jersey and reportedly already has an agreement in principle with Los Blancos over a transfer this summer.

Convincing Lille to abide by a transfer sum lower than their demands is not expected to be a walk in the park, but Yoro’s efforts ensure that Madrid stands a chance.

Delving deeper into his player profile, Real Madrid’s fondness for equipping coach Carlo Ancelotti with Yoro’s skillset makes a great deal of sense.

Player profile

Yoro, who was born in a Paris suburb in 2005, joined Lille’s first team at the age of sixteen years.

Indeed, at just 16, the right-footed central defender made his Ligue 1 debut, making history as the second-youngest player in the league’s history to do so. He overtook former Real Madrid player Eden Hazard in the process.

Yoro was a regular in the 2023/2024 season, helping the French team place fourth in Ligue 1 and advance to the third qualifying round of the Champions League.

Leny Yoro has impressed with his defensive acumen. (Photo by VALENTINE CHAPUIS/AFP via Getty Images)

A testament to his meteoric rise was that the legendary Thierry Henry included him in France’s preliminary squad for the 2024 Olympic Games.

The Frenchman is best known for his excellent composure in ground duels and ability to anticipate forwards’ intentions with a reactive style of play that draws parallels to the likes of Virgil Van Dijk and Nathan Ake.

What makes Leny Yoro a revered talent?

At 6’2″, Yoro naturally fits the mould of a complete center-back. His physical stature, speed, and lengthy stride highlight his early signs of footballing acumen.

While Yoro’s numbers do not immediately stand out, with merely 1.21 tackles and interceptions per 90, this is largely due to his role as the last-man defender.

His primary responsibility at Lille is to thwart attacks at critical moments, which naturally limits the volume of his defensive involvements.

Moreover, the 18-year-old’s positional intelligence allows him to anticipate and outfox opposing attackers pre-emptively, shuffling his body weight to close down the attacker before expertly lunging into a well-timed challenge.

Meanwhile, on the ball, he is a dependable source of progression. Yoro’s preparation before receiving the ball ensures he is well-placed to play the ball out from the back.

With 92.1% passes completed per 90, Yoro seldom suffers from lapses in possession. However, there is a case of him arguably playing it too safe as he has yet to fully bank on penetrative passes.

An area where the Frenchman particularly shines is knowing when to jump forward and close down the passing lane. When it comes to reading opponents’ attacking sequences meticulously, few can outshine him.

Why are Real Madrid eager to sign Yoro?

Yoro has the potential to be a top signing for Real Madrid. (Photo by SEBASTIEN SALOM-GOMIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Antonio Rudiger enjoyed a tremendous 2023/2024 season in the Spanish capital, leading Real Madrid to glory despite often being paired with makeshift centre-backs.

Next season, the club aims to lessen his burden and acquire a more complementary profile to be his acquaintance in the heart of defence.

While Eder Militao has returned from injury, the centre-back pairing of Militao and Rudiger leaves Real Madrid vulnerable during transitions due to their similar aggressive, front-footed playing styles.

In such scenarios, a balanced pairing of an aggressive centre-half and a cover defender is needed to provide stability.

And this is where Leny Yoro slots in. He is a reactive central defender, who would show his best attributes alongside Rudiger.

Rudiger is known to be front-footed in his defensive approach, often stepping out quickly to close down and press the receiving opponent in the middle.

On the other hand, Yoro thrives in making last-man tackles with his octopus legs and breaking up plays much later in their development.

Even with the ball, he is safe rather than adventurous, which indicates his future will likely involve partnering with a more expansive player, like Alexsandro at Lille, who is more progressive and willing to take risks.

As such, Yoro would not just be a long-term investment, but a potential partner to Rudiger in the years to come.