Nathan De Cat, a promising young Belgian defensive midfielder for RSC Anderlecht in the Belgian Pro League, has begun to turn heads with his exceptional talent and unique physical profile.
This has attracted the interest of several clubs, who are closely monitoring his development.
De Cat, born in 2008, is already making a name for himself as one of Anderlecht’s most exciting academy prospects in years, arguably the most promising.
Nathan De Cats playing style has drawn comparisons to a young Sergio Busquets.
He combines tactical intelligence, physicality, and exceptional composure in possession while showcasing maturity beyond his years.
This detailed Nathan De Cat scouting report will analyse his strengths, weaknesses, and long-term potential as he progresses through Anderlecht’s renowned youth system and moves closer to the first team.
On February 20, 2025, De Cat made his first-team debut for Anderlecht as a substitute in a UEFA Europa League knockout game against Fenerbahçe.
At just 16 years, 7 months, and 1 day old, he became one of the youngest debutants in Anderlecht history, a remarkable achievement for such a young player.
Then, on May 1, 2025, De Cat scored his first professional goal for Anderlecht in a Belgian Pro League Champions’ playoff match against Royal Antwerp FC, further solidifying his immense potential.
In this scout report and tactical analysis, we will explore what sets Nathan De Cat apart for Anderlecht’s youth setup and why he’s emerging as one of Belgiums most extraordinary future exports.
Nathan De Cat Position & Role At Anderlecht
Nathan De Cat is a well-established holding midfielder for RSCA Futures and Belgium’s U-17 side, where he plays a key role anchoring the midfield.
Positioned at the base of a 4-3-3, he focuses on disrupting opposition play, protecting the backline, and keeping things composed in possession.
He’s not one to carry the ball forward or attempt the spectacular.
Instead, De Cat plays with discipline and clarity, keeping his passes short, sharp, and purposeful.
His decision-making helps maintain rhythm and fluidity, allowing others to take more creative risks.
For being so young, he reads the game impressively well off the ball.
He is confident, intercepts passes before danger develops, and handles pressure calmly.
His physicality and timing in duels add another layer of security in front of the defence.
One of his most striking qualities is his maturity, which is one of his most striking qualities for his age.
He understands his role and executes it with quiet assurance.
As the deepest midfielder in a 4-3-3, De Cat offers the perfect platform for two more adventurous No. 8s to operate higher up the pitch.
At the same time, he holds the fort, recycling possession and covering space with intelligence.
Nathan De Cat Stats
De Cat offers a well-rounded and reliable presence as a defensive midfielder in the middle of the pitch.
Averaging just over 72 total actions per 90 minutes with a 62.8% success rate, he consistently looks to stay involved on both sides of the ball.
He’s not a high-volume passer in terms of sheer quantity, but his 40.5 passes per game at 81.3% accuracy, including nearly seven long balls per 90 at a strong 75.4% completion, reflect a player who keeps the game ticking and can occasionally switch play.
While he’s not much of a goal threat (0.11 xG and 0.11 goals per 90), he still contributes to build-up play and shows composure under pressure.
Defensively, De Cat brings real value.
He engages in over 22 duels per match and wins close to half (47.2%).
He also averages 5.3 interceptions and 10.7 recoveries in the opponent’s half, both strong numbers that point to his reading of the game and pressing instincts.
His 1.77 dribbles per 90 with over 60% success add a layer of calm when playing out of tight situations, though his aerial presence (3.27 duels per game, 42.5% won) is still an area for growth.
Despite some turnovers, he shows potential to become a more composed distributor as he gains experience.
De Cat has been a standout in the league this season, particularly for his activity in midfield duels, especially defensively.
He leads all central, wing, and defensive midfielders in defensive duels per 90 minutes, averaging 15.
While his success rate of 47.37% isn’t the highest among the top duelers, it still highlights his solid efficiency, especially considering the volume of duels he engages in.
On the offensive side, the story changes.
De Cat ranks 56th in offensive duels, with an average of 4.74 per 90, but his success rate of 16.67% is the lowest among the top 60 midfielders.
This suggests that while he’s involved in attacking situations, he may struggle to retain possession or shrug off pressure, areas that could improve with greater strength or more decisive decision-making in tight situations.
Overall, these stats illustrate a midfielder who excels at disrupting play and thrives in defensive battles but still has room for growth when it comes to handling pressure in offensive situations.
Nathan De Cat Ball Manipulation
De Cat demonstrates a high level of composure in deep midfield zones, showing maturity when receiving under pressure.
He remains unfazed by aggressive pressing, utilising subtle body movements and sharp turns to retain possession and create space.
His ball manipulation is excellent for his age—he can cushion difficult passes, take sharp first touches and beat his man, and shield possession effectively.
This makes him a reliable outlet in build-up phases, as he consistently helps his team progress play without unnecessary risks.
Nathan De Cat Passing & Vision
One of De Cat’s other qualities is his intelligent and varied passing range.
He consistently executes accurate diagonal switches, frequently finding wide players in space with well-weighted long balls.
He has t
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