Adri Mehmeti player profile

Everything about the technical profile of defensive-midfielder, Adri Mehmeti starts with his footwork and how he sets himself up for his next action. His body shape and positioning are incredibly advanced for his age. He doesn't just scan for pressure; he scans for his next action, sets his body and puts himself in position to execute quickly. He plays one- and two-touch passes quickly and accurately with both feet. His first touch is consistently clean, and his passes typically find teammates in a way that lets them take a clean next action. Mehmeti isn't someone who's going to carry the ball through midfield often or with a ton of dynamism, but he understands when he has space, when he can play on the half-turn for a pass and when he can take the space in front of him.

His passing technique is clean with both feet, especially on short to intermediate passes between the lines. He shows good technique on longer-range passes from time to time, but he's actually simplified his passing repertoire over the last few years. He was more adventurous with his passing as a U15 player. He'll still play a ball over the top or a long diagonal here and there, and while the simpler approach may reflect what's being asked of him in his role, I'd like to see him use that range more.

I also think he can become more of a threat shooting from distance. It isn't something he looks to do, even though the opportunities are there. I don't know if the hesitancy comes from a lack of confidence in his ball striking or a desire to be a pass-first player in the final third, but I have a feeling it's the latter. Adding ball striking from distance would give him another way to be effective in the final third.

Mehmeti's technical game is about making hard things look simple and playing quickly through great body positioning and footwork.

Mehmeti is one of the most intelligent players I've seen come through the academy system in the United States. He has a very high level of game understanding and natural instincts. That intelligence shows up in his ability to find space, combine with teammates, process information quickly and position himself thoughtfully against the ball.

Mehmeti always seems to be available for his teammates, positioning himself as an outlet in all three phases. His scanning and vision allow him to execute the next action effectively. He seems to know exactly where his teammates are and the type of pass needed to move the ball quickly in a positive direction toward the opponents' goal.

His intelligence also plays a huge role in his defensive work. He may not be the fastest defensive midfielder, but his mind works quickly. He understands what the opponent is trying to do and positions himself to intercept passes or step into duels. He reads pressing triggers well and closes down space at the right times.

Mehmeti has the tactical understanding to play at the highest levels because his mind moves as fast as the highest levels of the game require.

He's the type of player you want the game to run through in the middle third. He's a true metronome for any possession-based system. From what I've seen, tight spaces can occasionally give him trouble, and becoming more press resistant is an area for growth, but he's excellent at moving play from the middle phase into the final third.

Mehmeti's biggest physical assets are his size and strength. He's around six feet tall with a strong lower-body base that allows him to fend off defenders, protect the ball, compete in aerial duels and bring physicality to ground duels. His feet aren't naturally the quickest, but his footwork and mental processing let him act quickly.

Speed and agility aren't strengths of his, but they don't limit his effectiveness much. MLS isn't the most technical or tactical league, but it's physical, so the fact that he's been this effective in MLS without elite speed or agility is a good sign. There are moments, though, when his change of direction appears to affect his ability to defend in space and stop transitions. He isn't a Tyler Adams-style destroyer who can operate as a single six and cover the entire backline. He benefits from a midfield partner who can cover more ground.

Mehmeti is a leader, and it wouldn't surprise me if he captains the United States Men's National Team someday. He wore the armband for Red Bull New York II at 16, becoming the youngest captain in club history, during a season that ended with an MLS NEXT Pro title. That's remarkable. And as a 17-year-old in MLS, he's clearly one of the team's leaders. He leads with both his actions and his words.

All indications from coaches and people around him are that he truly loves the game, works at becoming the best player he can be and has a very high level of competitiveness. That fire shows up in his effort on the pitch and the consistent intensity he plays with.

Mehmeti's feel and fire for the game will likely endear him to Pochettino's staff in training, and after earning his first senior call-up for the September-October camp, he could become a player they rely on pretty quickly if he performs well in games.