Scout Report: Samuel Iling-Junior
The Transfer Window has been in full swing since before we were all distracted by the Euros. Lots of deals have gone through and the speculation round about is full go. Within my Scout Reports I will try to bring everyone up to date with some players that are mere rumours, and others that are a completed deal but may be a player unfamiliar to the casual top-flight fan.
Aston Villa were one of the first Premier League sides to get their business started following a Champions League qualifying campaign. Whilst PSR may have been a contributing factor, they shipped star Douglas Luiz to Juventus, bringing in English youngster Samuel Iling-Junior as part of the deal.
20-year-old Iling-Junior was born in London and began his football career in Chelsea’s academy. At 16, he rejected a scholarship with the idea of moving abroad, looking for a better first-team pathway. Despite interest from German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, the player would eventually sign for Juventus.
In 2022, the wing-back made his debut for the first team, against Empoli, and less than four days later he would add a Champions League debut to his CV. It was in this game against Benfica, where Iling-Junior would begin to show his promise, assisting Weston McKennie, just two minutes after coming onto the pitch.
The English youngster would go on to make 45 appearances for Juventus, scoring two goals and providing three assists. Whilst his role was limited, Iling-Junior was heavily used from the bench and an integral part of squad rotation in Turin.
Iling-Junior has primarily been used at wing-back at club level but has also been deployed as a winger in his England U-21 appearances. Mostly deployed on the left-hand-side, the 20-year-old is more than capable of playing on either side, with the ability to cut in and create space. A strong dribbler, the player loves to take on his man, and is certainly an asset going forward, whether deployed at wing-back or as a winger further up the pitch.
The Coppa Italia winner comes to the Premier League with huge promise and should be able to slot into Unai Emery’s side, wherever he plays. Iling-Junior also provides some Champions League experience, which could be invaluable. An all-round promising signing, from a team that look to continue their upward trajectory.
