Hirving Lozano

Hirving Lozano
Image from: freelargeimages.com

Hirving Rodrigo Lozano Bahena





Current Club: PSV Eindhoven.

Previous Clubs: CF Pachuca.

Loan Clubs: N/A.





International: Mexico 35 caps 9 goals.

Trophies Won: Mexican Liga MX Golden Boot 2016/17, Dutch Eredivisie 2017/18, Liga MX 2015/16, CONCACAF Champions League 2016/17, Mexican Clausura 2015/16. CONCACAF Champions League top scorer 2016/17.





I have to admit that watching Lozano's recent games for this profile has disappointed me. When I had seen him play in the past I had been really impressed, he looked to be a real talent that should be of interest to the big teams in Europe. Now, watching more of him, I see why he is still in the Eredivisie with PSV, rather than a top league with one of the top clubs.



What does impress me is his workrate, he is a willing worker, always willing to make a forward run and, when his role calls for it, happy to track back. I was under the impression he was much more physical and robust, but he looks lacking physically, weak even, constantly looking to go down when challenged, to buy free kicks he does not deserve when he could have easily shielded the ball and played on.



Lozano also has some excellent movement, he times his run from outside to in very well, in a similar way to Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, but lacking in the pace the Liverpool pair have. That means that while he gets an initial headstart on the defence, he can be caught, especially as his touch is not the best and he can struggle to get the ball out from under his feet.



His pace is not slow, but it is just decent, when he gets the ball at his feet Lozano's lack of close control makes it difficult for him to get a clean run at goal. A lack of composure in front of goal does not help either. He is not a predator by any means, I would not want to put my neck on the line if it depended on him scoring.



Lozano's inconsistent passing, inability to turn tightly with the ball and lack of composure could all come down to his lack of technique. He is not able to rely on striking the ball cleanly as he often looks like he is finding bobbles on a perfect pitch! It often takes him an extra touch to get the ball under control and it means his crosses are often wayward.



He is quite clever with good vision when it comes to passing the ball but, for all his workrate he does not press or close down effectively or with aggression, never positioning himself in position to actually have any effect on a pass, cross or run. Lozano just gets in the same postcode and looks like he is making an effort, without actually achieving anything at all defensively.



On the ball he is not exactly skilful, his turns were slow and cumbersom and his tricks were next to useless, especially as he just tries to do the same thing over and over, even though it is not working. About all he can do is push and run, hoping to out-accelerate his opponent.





Requested by - ProgrammerFan