Good goalscorers are difficult to find and that is exactly what makes the emergence of Lincoln Correa dos Santos an exciting proposition. A product of the famous Flamengo youth system, Lincoln was instrumental in Brazil’s triumph at the 2017 U17 South American Championship and has earned rave reviews for his performances at the youth level.
The 18-year-old also caught the eye with his fine displays at the U17 FIFA World Cup in India last year, scoring thrice from seven appearances.
Lincoln made his debut as a 16-year-old for Flamengo in the Brazilian Serie A last season and the Calciomercato has dubbed the youngster as the new Adriano. Much like the former Inter Milan striker, Lincoln is also a powerful centre-forward blessed with an incredible eye for goal.
According to an earlier report from the Calciomercato, Lincoln has a release clause of €50 million in his contract and a number of top clubs including Juventus, AC Milan and Manchester United are keeping close tabs on the youngster.
Standing at 5ft. 9 inches with a sinewy frame, Lincoln still has a good couple of years to gain a few more inches. However, he has already impressed with his ability to beat the opposition to the aerial balls inside the box, making him a genuine threat from corners and indirect set-pieces.
A technically-gifted striker with above-average dribbling skills, Lincoln might be only 17 but he has shown good body strength to shield the ball from tall and strong centre-backs. His exceptional close control combined with his upper body strength make it difficult for the defenders to dispossess him.
As a result of his ball-shielding ability, Lincoln excels with his hold-up play in the final third, drawing the defenders out from their positions and allowing others to make runs behind the backline. However, he is not a one-trick pony by any means.
Lincoln is a dynamic centre-forward who is known for his subtle off-the-ball movement and has the ability to beat the offside trap and time his runs to perfection. An instinctive striker by nature, the 18-year-old is a poacher who lurks in and around that penalty area to pounce on any opportunity that comes his way.
Furthermore, the Brazilian has an incredible eye for goal and tries to shoot at every possible opportunity, keeping the defenders on their toes all the time.
Argentine talisman Sergio Aguero has been the spearhead of Manchester City’s attack for quite a long time now. Aguero,30, is still performing at the peak of his powers and Gabriel Jesus is an ideal backup option for the Citizens.
However, the reigning Premier League champions would need a replacement for their Argentine talisman somewhere down the line and someone like Lincoln has shown the potential of becoming a future star. He won’t fit into the first-team by any means at present but he might be the next big name in European football.