Why signing Hayley Raso could prove to be an astute move from Real Madrid Femenino – scout report

Manchester City winger Hayley Raso looks set to join her ex-teammate Caroline Weir and don the colours of Real Madrid Femenino next season. It is rumoured that Raso has been on Las Blancas radar since at least January so this is not a move that will cause any shockwaves in women’s football. 

Raso, an Australian international, has faced challenges in gaining regular playing time at Manchester City. She has been unable to complete a full 90 minutes in the Womens Super League this season, mainly due to the outstanding performances of Englands Chloe Kelly, who has enjoyed a stellar campaign. Consequently, it came as no surprise when Raso announced her intention to depart as a free agent this summer.

Moreover, Real Madrid Femenino have made significant progress this season, finishing in second place, trailing the consistently prolific Barcelona by ten points. This represents a considerable improvement from the previous season where the gap between the two teams was 30 points. With an aim to narrow the margin and catch up with their rivals, Las Blancas will be keen to reinforce their squad ahead of the upcoming season.

In the pursuit of strengthening their team, the addition of Hayley Raso would be a notable move for Real Madrid, as they seek to continue their ascent in the womens football landscape. This tactical analysis scout report will analyse just what Raso will bring to Real Madrid and provide an analysis of how she might fit into the Spanish club’s tactics.

Player Profile

Raso is an out-and-out right winger whose playing style is characterised by her explosive pace and relentless work rate. She is known for beating defenders with quick dribbling and precise crosses into the box. Her agility and versatility have the potential to make her a valuable asset to Real Madrid in the future.

Despite only playing 984 minutes at Manchester City this season, she has managed to score five goals which average out at 0.46 goals per 90. If given more game time, there is no doubt that she would be able to contribute a higher goal return.

We can see from the heatmaps above that during her time at Manchester City, the 28-year-old has predominantly played on the right side and will stay as wide as possible in a bid to stretch the pitch in order to create space for others. The wide positioning also forces the opposition fullbacks to stay wide, reducing their ability to provide defensive cover in the centre.

In possession, Rasos fantastic dribbling skills come to the forefront. She excels in one-on-one situations, using her quick footwork and close ball control to manoeuvre past defenders. Her ability to change direction swiftly and maintain balance while dribbling makes it challenging for opponents to dispossess her.