Dirty Details
Name: Daniel Munoz Mejia
Nationality: Colombia
Current Club: Club KRC Genk
Age: 24 (Birthday, May 25)
Physical Stats: 1.83m, 69 kg
Transfermarkt Value: $6.6M, contract ends 2024
Position: Fullback/Centerback
Strengths: Attacking Positioning, Work Rate, Stamina, Positional Flexibility
Weaknesses: Low Ceiling, Flair
To Be Determined: Defensive Pressing, Crossing
Okay so I broke my own rules by scouting a player from South America, but I feel it suffices for two reasons. One: Rafael Toloi just received Italian citizenship, so I can twist the rules a bit by claiming there’s an international slot open. Two: after the success of Castagne and Maehle, why wouldn’t Atalanta want to keep tabs on the next right back to come out of Genk??? So we’re off to Belgium to look at and maybe stake claim to our next Genk nurtured right fullback.
Given Colombia’s injury woes at right back, it’s shocking that Munoz has not been called up to the national team yet. A product of Medellin’s Atletico Nacional, Munoz has already become a staple of Genk during his first European campaign, starting in nearly all of the club’s matches. Capable of playing both at wingback and centerback, Munoz was actually a staple of Genk’s all-Colombian defensive back three when Maehle was still on the club. Of course we all know where Maehle is now, and with the Dane’s departure to our beloved Dea, Munoz has taken up the helm again at his more natural right fullback/wingback position. Munoz is, in fact, quite similar to Maehle. They both love getting forward, demonstrate incredible work-rates, and prefer consistency rather than the penchant for the dramatic (although Maehle does like a cheeky piece of flair now and then). In fact, Munoz couldn’t help getting forward in Genk’s victory over Charleroi, I could’ve filled minutes of screen time with him in the opponent’s half of the pitch, but saved you and only compiled a minutes worth or so of him playing nearly as far forward as RAM Ito.
While Munoz loves getting forward in attack, the same doesn’t seem to be necessarily true on the defensive end. Perhaps it’s a tactical preference (quite likely), but Munoz played a much more conservative fullback than you’d expect from a Genk product. His defensive contribution was much more frequent in his own half of the pitch, and he appeared much more willing to sit back in defense rather than put on a dogged press. There were instances when he was able to successfully press and win the ball back, thus showing the ability to press like Gasperini would require of him.
The main word I would use to describe his offense is steadiness. He seems much more apt to play a simple pass rather than attempt something more daring. Which is fine. He still knows how to get forward to be available for an outlet, and Atalanta’s own Hans Hateboer has never been the most offensively astute wingback – but rather steady. Given that he gets forward so frequently, Munoz still finds himself in encouraging positions to contribute offensively – plus his height also provides another aerial threat, both on offense and defense.
Overall, Munoz looks to be another interesting Genk product to keep tabs on. He reminds me a lot of Maehle, who he has replaced at fullback for Genk, and possesses the offensive aptitude to fit into a Gasperini system. The combination of his height, work rate, positioning, steadiness, and defensive flexibility (both in position and style) would allow him to fit into most systems on the right hand side of the pitch. But more than anything that knack for getting forward, and that itch to participate in the offense smells like Atalanta more than anything to me. He already shows sound maturity for a youngster, and his ability to adapt so quick to European play – plus the ability to play with two other Colombians at Atalanta – makes me think he could make an equally seamless transition to Bergamo. Thanks for reading and Forza Dea!!!
