Only Jeremy Doku and Leroy Sane have averaged a higher number of dribbles per match in Europe’s ‘Big Five’ leagues this season than Matías Soulé. This only hints at the talent of the young Argentine who is currently on loan at Frosinone from Juventus. Indeed, he has the makings of his country’s next great winger.
By Graham Ruthven
Soulé has been a revelation in Serie A this season. Having joined Frosinone on a season-long loan last summer, the 20-year-old has caught the eye in nearly every match he has played since, registering an impressive 10 goals and two assists in just 21 appearances for a promoted team primarily concerned with staying in the Italian top flight.
There hasn’t been a more consistently dangerous wide player in Serie A this season than Soulé. His dribbling ability is illustrated by the numbers he’s charting, but the left-footer also possesses an eye for a pass and an exceptional first touch. Technically, Soulé has everything required to reach the top of the game.
In Frosinone’s 4-2-3-1 shape, Soulé likes to drop deep into middle where he can pick up the ball and drive it forward at speed. He also has composure around the edge of the opposition box. This makes him a dangerous playmaker – only Genoa’s Albert Gudmundsson is averaging more key passes per 90 minutes in Serie A this season than Soulé.
Argentina has a long history of producing top quality wingers and one took Soulé under his wing as the youngster started training with the Juventus first team. Ángel Di María has acted as something of a mentor to Soulé with the 2022 World Cup winger – now at Benfica – a frequent commentator on the 20-year-old’s Instagram posts.
Lionel Scaloni isn’t exactly short of attacking talent right now. Of course, Argentina have Lionel Messi, but the likes of Julián Álvarez, Di María, Paulo Dybala, Nico González and Lautaro Martínez offer La Albiceleste plenty of quality in the final third. Scaloni, however, doesn’t have another player in the mould of Soulé.
Argentina might have to act quickly if they want to secure Soulé’s international future though. Italy have also shown an interest in calling up the youngster, who is eligible to play for the Azzurri through his ancestry. Luciano Spalletti approached Soulé about including him in Italy’s squad for November’s Euro 2024 qualifiers North Macedonia and Ukraine, but was rebuffed.
“I’d like to thank Spalletti, because he wanted me,” Matías Soulé explained. “Then I spoke to Walter Samuel (Argentina assistant manager) and he told me I was on the provisional list of call-ups for Argentina. I don’t know if I’ll get called up now or later, but I’m Argentine. I was born there and my heart always says: ‘Argentina’.”
There is uncertainty over Soulé’s club future too. “First of all I have to return to Juve, then we’ll see based on that,” said the winger when asked where he envisages playing his football next season, with reported interest from several clubs in the Premier League, including Newcastle United and Crystal Palace.
Many argue – with strong justification – that Juventus should do everything they can to keep hold of Soulé. Max Allegri’s team are involved in a Scudetto race against Inter this season, but they are lacking a true attacking difference-maker, with Federico Chiesa’s injury troubles preventing him from achieving any sort of consistency. Matías Soulé could be the long-term solution.
January could have seen Soulé make the switch to Saudi Arabia. Al Ittihad identified the winger as a target and an offer was made to Juventus to sign him permanently, only for Soulé to decide against making the move to the Saudi Pro League. “The offer was real,” said Frosinone sporting director Guido Angelozzi, “but he’ll stay with us until June. It was the boy’s decision.”
Frosinone need Soulé to help them consolidate their place in Serie A between now and the end of the season. At his current rate, the 20-year-old will get close to 20 combined goals and assists, which would truly highlight his prodigious talent. Whether it’s at Juventus, a Premier League club or somewhere else, Matías Soulé has everything he needs to become a superstar.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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