Teddy Teuma 2022/23: The Malta international having another great season with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise – scout report

Like a vast majority of the Royale Union Saint-Gilloise squad at the beginning of the 2021/22 season, Teddy Teuma was not well known around the footballing world. The French-born Maltese played in the lower divisions of French football throughout the beginning of his career, with stops at Hyères in the fourth tier of French football and Boulogne in the third tier, before playing half a season with Red Star in Ligue 2 in the 2018/19 season after helping them win promotion the year prior. 

Then, in January of 2019, Teuma signed with Belgian First Division B side Union Saint-Gilloise. The midfielder quickly became a fan’s favourite and helped the club win the second division title in the 2020/21 season, bringing the club back to the top flight in Belgium for the first time in 48 years. Fast forward to the present day, and Teuma has had an unbelievable rise. From making his senior international debut for Malta to almost winning the Belgian Pro League in USG’s first season back in the big time, to currently playing European football, it has been a dream last couple of years for the Belgian side’s captain.

This tactical analysis and scout report piece will analyse the strengths and weaknesses of Teuma. This analysis will also look at how the Malta international has picked up where he left off last season under new manager Karel Gerarts. 

Player profile 

Naturally, after such a great season in their first campaign back in the top flight in 48 years, other teams took notice. As a result, their manager, Felice Mazzu, was hired by Brussels rivals Anderlecht to replace the departed Vincent Kompany, after the former Manchester City defender left to become manager of Burnley. Under Mazzu, USG set up in a 3-5-2, with Teuma normally being deployed as the left-sided midfielder of the central three.

As matches progressed, however, the Malta international operated in a more free-roaming midfield role, which is shown by his heat map from the 2021/22 season. 

This free-roaming role allowed Teuma more flexibility and freedom in the attacking phase, with the midfielder being one of USG’s most consistent attacking contributors as a result. Teuma finished last season with 6 goals and 9 assists, with the Maltese midfielder being the Belgian side’s most creative playmaker in these deeper areas. He also had a solid season defensively as well, with Teuma constantly tracking back and putting in shifts.