In 2024, one name that will continue to reverberate as a beacon of promise is Hugo Larsson.
The 19-year-old central midfielder has not only caught the eye of enthusiasts but has also left a lasting impression on the tactical landscape.
Hailing from the rich tradition of Scandinavian football, Larsson’s emergence adds another chapter to Sweden’s illustrious legacy of talent development.
As Scandinavian leagues have long been recognised for cultivating players for top European teams, Larsson’s journey is a testament to the region’s commitment to nurturing footballing excellence.
In this tactical analysis and Hugo Larsson’s scout report, we delve into the nuances of Hugo Larsson’s style of play, dissecting his contributions in various phases of the game and tactics and exploring why he stands as one of the most promising players to watch out for in 2024.
Who Is Hugo Larsson?
Larsson’s football journey began in 2016 when he joined Malmö FF youth academy, transitioning from SoGK Charlo.
Despite a trial opportunity with Chelsea in 2021, Larsson opted to stay in Sweden, committing to his development with MFF, as he said:
”It’s clear that it was a great experience to go and play with Chelsea. I trained with the team and also got to go to a tournament in Belgium. I also scored a goal there. The move was a little too early. For me, it was better to continue my development at home, at Malmö.“
His professional debut occurred on February 20, 2022, during a Swedish Cup match against GAIS.
A month later, the Swede made his league debut in a 1–1 draw with Elfsborg.
Hugo Larsson Radar Chart At Malmö 2022/23
In the summer of 2023, Larsson embarked on a new chapter, transferring from Malmö to the Bundesliga.
Eintracht Frankfurt facilitated the move with a transfer fee of €9M.
Notably, Larsson’s market value increased substantially from €9M in July to €28M by mid-December, as reported by Transfermarkt.
This trajectory underlines the promising ascent of the young football talent.
Hugo Larsson Style Of Play & Player Profile
Hugo Larsson, representing Eintracht Frankfurt and hailing from Sweden, is a versatile player with a preferred right foot.
Standing at 187cm, the 19-year-old talent was born on June 27, 2004.
Hugo Larsson’s style of play exhibits adaptability by seamlessly transitioning between various midfield positions and roles as required by the team’s strategy.
Often deployed as a deep-lying playmaker, he serves as the pivotal first passing option in front of the defence.
This role involves precise passing within both defensive and offensive thirds, contributing significantly to possession build-up.
Hugo Larsson Heat Map
However, Hugo Larsson’s style of play versatility extends beyond defensive responsibilities.
He also excels as a box-to-box midfielder, showcasing commendable playmaking skills.
In this role, the Swede engages in numerous pressing actions in the opponent’s half, avoids frequent dribbling, and contributes moderately to chance creation through passing.
Defensively, Larsson actively participates in recoveries and pressing in high areas, demonstrating a well-rounded skill set.
Hugo Larsson Radar Chart At Eintracht Frankfurt 2023/24
Hugo Larsson’s notable strengths lie in stamina, ball-carrying ability, long-passing accuracy, and composure under pressure.
While excelling in these aspects, areas for further development include enhancing attacking output in terms of goals, assists, and physical strength.
As a rising talent with a diverse skill set, the 19-year-old embodies the modern midfielder, contributing dynamically both in defensive solidity and attacking creativity.
Hugo Larsson Build-Up Play
Hugo Larsson’s prowess in the build-up play is characterised by his preference for short passes, a tactical acumen that infuses dynamism into the team’s progression.
His innate verticality, coupled with keen vision and passing accuracy across various distances, adds a layer of sophistication to the team’s build-up process.
Hugo Larsson Pass Map
An active participant in the play, the Malmö FF Academy graduate consistently positions himself as an additional passing option, showcasing intelligence and a strong positional sense to exploit spaces between the lines.
Hugo Larsson’s adept first touch and high-speed execution shine in one-two combinations with teammates, contributing to the team’s fluid attacking movements.
Larsson’s strengths, anchored in passing precision, a comprehensive understanding of the game, and an aversion to long balls, are evident in his commitment to creative solutions.
He maintains a patient yet courageous approach, consistently delivering an impressive 73% of his passes to the final third—a testament to his ability to instigate offensive moves.
Remarkably, the Swede boasts a 100% success rate in through passes.
Hugo Larsson Progressive Passes Map
Under pressure, Hugo Larsson remains a resilient figure, unfazed by defensive challenges.
His ability to find teammates under duress, coupled with his pace and technical finesse, enables him to navigate tight spaces and elude opponents, ensuring the Eintracht Frankfurt’s build-up retains a composed and controlled character.
Hugo Larsson Attacking Phase
The 19-year-old central midfielder is a formidable force in the attacking phase of play.
His combination of strength, technical prowess, and exceptional ball control makes him incredibly difficult to dispose of.
Larsson’s ability to shield the ball, combined with his above-average footwork and dribbling skills, allows him to navigate and create in tight spaces.
His attacking contribution extends to his creativity and precise passing skills, enabling him to deliver crucial through passes and killer balls, particularly in the vicinity or even inside the opponents’ 18-yard box.
Notably, his decision-making prowess exceeds expectations for a player of his age, showcasing maturity in choosing the right moments to unlock defences.
In the following picture, Hugo Larsson plays a precise through ball, dissecting the resilient defence of Helsinki.
While the statistics might merely categorise it as a second assist, passes of this type are essential to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Larsson’s ability to deliver intelligent through balls becomes paramount in Eintracht Frankfurt’s intricate system, where fullbacks frequently embark on overlapping runs to add width and dynamism to the attack.
These passes lay the groundwork for the primary assists and subsequent goals.
The Swede’s vision and technical finesse allow him to thread the ball through the last line of defence, unlocking spaces that are otherwise hard to breach.
These ‘second assists’ are the catalysts that set the stage for the marauding fullbacks, enabling Frankfurt to exploit the gaps created in the opposition’s defensive structure.
While Hugo Larsson excels in various facets of the attacking game, there is room for improvement in certain areas.
Despite frequently playing passes into the final third, he tends to be more of a penultimate pass provider than the player delivering the final ball.
The 19-year-old rarely positions himself in advanced offensive roles, resulting in a limited goal threat.
However, this characteristic is inherent to Larsson’s current role and position.
Hugo Larsson Shot Assists Map
Hugo Larsson could benefit from honing his mid-range and long-range shooting skills to further elevate his attacking profile, adding an extra dimension to his already multifaceted attacking prowess.
Hugo Larsson Transitions
The former Malmö FF central midfielder exhibits promising qualities in transition phases, showcasing his dynamic capabilities and efficiency in covering ground both with and without the ball.
His running strength and close control of the ball enable him to traverse significant distances while maintaining possession.
Hugo Larsson’s transition play is characterised by high energy and mobility, allowing him to press opponents effectively and initiate attacks after winning back possession.
His exceptional stamina and energy levels allow him to embark on lung-bursting runs through the middle of the park, making him a formidable force in transition situations.
Hugo Larsson Penetrating Carries Map
One of Hugo Larsson’s notable strengths lies in his capacity to execute powerful and dangerous runs upfield during counterattacks.
This skill adds a valuable dimension to his transitional play, as the Swede can exploit open spaces and create goalscoring opportunities for his team.
Overall, his prowess in transition phases underlines his versatility and effectiveness in various aspects of the game.
Hugo Larsson Defensive Phase
In the defensive phase, Larsson distinguishes himself with astute positioning.
His ability to read the game allows him to position himself effectively, contributing to sound defensive performances.
The 19-year-old exhibits remarkable proficiency in his defensive positional play, showcasing an innate ability to intercept passes and disrupt the flow of the opposition’s build-up.
His anticipation and footballing intelligence come to the forefront as he consistently positions himself adeptly to read the game.
While Hugo Larsson typically navigates direct defensive duels without resorting to fouls, his aggression can be improved.
Hugo Larsson High Regains Map
However, one aspect that could enhance Larsson’s defensive effectiveness is a more assertive approach in one-on-one defensive challenges.
The statistics reveal that he often emerges on the less favourable side in defensive duels.
One contributing factor to this pattern is Larsson’s relatively slender physique, which, while affording him agility and speed, may not yet provide the robustness required for the physical battles characteristic of one of the premier football leagues in the world.
At this stage of his career, he is navigating the transition to the demanding physicality of the German top flight.
Adapting to this level of intensity is a developmental step for any young player.
His current body type might put him at a disadvantage in these more physically demanding situations.
Hugo Larsson Defensive Territory Map
Although Hugo Larsson manages situations fairly and showcases a good footballing sense, a more proactive defensive style could further elevate his overall defensive contributions.
Conclusion
Hugo Larsson emerges as a promising talent with a multifaceted skill set that extends across various phases of the game.
The 19-year-old central midfielder’s adeptness in build-up play, demonstrated by his short-passing prowess and strategic understanding, is complemented by a solid defensive presence due to his positional acumen and physical attributes.
The Swede’s potential shines exceptionally bright in transition phases, where his energy, mobility, and ability to cover considerable ground contribute significantly to his effectiveness.
While defensively sound, there’s room for improvement in his aggressiveness in one-on-one challenges.
Looking ahead, the former Malmö FF player‘s qualities position him as an ideal candidate for a double-pivot partnership, especially alongside a robust defensive midfielder.
However, envisioning his future role as an advanced box-to-box midfielder, similar to İlkay Gündoğan or Jude Bellingham, appears promising.
This transformation would involve refining his finishing and increasing his shot volume, aspects that, given his age of 19, present developmental opportunities for Dino Toppmöller’s Eintracht Frankfurt.
