Trialist no.8 - there’s just something about Carlos
Is academy kid Dos Santos Rooney’s midfield answer?
At this time of year football managers are bombarded by agents offering players or analysts presenting a myriad of data, all vowing to help them find the answers to improve their squads.
But sometimes what you need is right in front of you. All you have to do is open your eyes and see it.
New Silkmen boss John Rooney may have had a lightbulb moment watching a young trialist light up the second half at Newcastle Town last night, which saw Macclesfield ease to a 3-0 victory against their Step 4 opposition.
It turns out that the trialist, wearing the number no.8 shirt, was not an unknown quantity to either side. The player is none other than Carlos Dos Santos – a member of Macclesfield’s International Football Group (IFG) academy and Under 23 Shadow Youth squad, who also made 36 appearances (scoring two goals) for Newcastle last season during a loan spell there.
On the back of that, Dos Santos got the call up with fellow IFG teammate Jefferson Abreu to join Macclesfield’s first-team for pre-season training. Abreu came on for the last ten minutes against Newcastle – more on this young talent another time.
But for now, let’s talk about Carlos because there is a LOT to discuss after seeing him impress against Mansfield and again in Staffordshire last night.
A rough diamond with obvious potential
After witnessing Dos Santos play the second half against Mansfield at the weekend, I commented that the central midfielder looked ‘raw, but definitely has potential’. I liked his speed and enthusiasm to get stuck in, play adventurous passes and push forward.
At times, he was exposed defensively, conceding a dangerous free-kick on the edge of the box following a rash challenge. But on another occasion, he played a delightfully weighted pass in-between the centre half and full-back into the path of Justin Johnson which was a moment of real quality. Against Mansfield, all of Macclesfield’s other midfielders were neat and tidy (with Elliott Whitehouse being the pick of the bunch), but lacked dynamism. In contrast, Dos Santos represented something different.
Last night Carlos was bright, positive, flashy and showed some class sprinkled with unpredictability – admittedly against far inferior opposition to League One Mansfield in what was a familiar environment and playing surface for him.
What sets Dos Santos apart?
I love the potential of this kid. He excites me and I can’t wait to watch him play again. He’s the type of player that could make something happen out of nothing and get fans off their seats.
Without going too overboard and jumping the gun on Dos Santos’ ceiling, let me try and articulate why.
Agility – Without Laurent Mendy, it’s noticeable that Macclesfield currently lack ‘legs’ in midfield. Dos Santos is a tall, long-legged player who can glide quickly across the pitch, who isn’t afraid to carry the ball forward or attempt to beat a man. At times, the Silkmen’s midfielders in the first half treated the ball as if it was a hot potato and lacked ambition in their passing (with the exception of one Elliott Whitehouse through ball).
In contrast, Carlos’ agility with and without the ball was an advantage. He was nimble in tracking back and could create half a yard to buy himself some time to pick a pass. Yes, he did and will make mistakes in turning the ball over and in his decision making, however there’s a lot of talent for the Silkmen’s coaching staff to work with.
Fearlessness – Dos Santos has that youthful exuberance we all love to see. He’s always looking to play forward and is confident to take people on, or spray a 30-yard pass out wide with tempo and accuracy. Carlos isn’t afraid to shoot from distance either, demonstrated when he fizzed a 25-yard effort that whistled just past the post last night. To add balance, he is guilty of sometimes trying to do too much, or hanging onto the ball and attempting to dribble instead of playing a sideways pass to retain possession. He’s young and raw, eager to impress and wants to take responsibility.
Skill and composure – Carlos is a bundle of skill and energy, but one who appears to have substance to complement his style. When in possession against Newcastle, he nutmegged his opponent before feeding a perfect pass into the path of Justin Johnson on the left wing. Clever, quick and incisive to set Macc on the attack.
In fact Dos Santos seemed to develop an instant understanding with JJ, showing the composure to retain possession in midfield and twice turn a Newcastle player whilst delaying his pass until his teammate had found space to receive the ball.
Technique – My favourite Dos Santos moment. He received a tight pass to feet and was immediately under pressure from a Newcastle midfielder who was poised to tackle. Rather than panic, or look to shield the ball and wait for support, Carlos moved the ball a couple of yards sideways with his right foot to create some room and then whipped a left-footed pass over to JJ on the wing. Composure, technique, vision and accuracy all rolled into one. What a baller!
It’s important not to get carried away (says me, ironically) – without being disrespectful this was Newcastle Town after all. Equally, I don’t think Dos Santos set the world alight in his first loan spell with Colne at the beginning of last season before he made the switch to Newcastle thereafter. Young players with talent like him though can develop and blossom quickly with regular game time.
Eagle-eyed observers will recall that Carlos played at left-back in Macclesfield’s friendly away at TNS 12 months ago, where he struggled positionally and was slack in possession. Fast-forward a year and he looks a totally different proposition now.
Dos Santos may not be ready for the cut and thrust of the National League North week-in, week-out, yet. But given teams can now name up to seven substitutes starting from this season, Carlos could be a livewire to bring off the bench to provide a spark when we need one.
At the very least, Dos Santos’s recent cameos will have given John Rooney a welcome headache as he strives to add steel, creativity and goals to a Silkmen midfield following Mendy’s departure and Rooney’s own retirement as a player.