Romanian born top scout, Bogdan Costicea during the recently concluded Magic Scouting Tournament in Lagos, Nigeria, stated unequivocally without mincing words that players with brain is what he’s looking out for
The former FCSB Steaua Bucharest, CFR Cluj and FC Voluntari chief scout, reiterated that he is looking for something different which is on the cognitive side.
According to him, for a player to play at the top level in Europe now, the player must be able to use his brain.
“I’m here to spot, develop young Nigerian talents. What I have seen here in the last five days has been impressive, a different mentality.
“It’s my first time scouting in Nigeria. Good talents which in my opinion are good enough to play at the top level.
“I will propose some of them to top European clubs after speaking with the organizers of the program who brought me to Nigeria, he said
Costicea further revealed that he is not talking about the athletics side because most Nigerian players have speed, strength and power, but he is looking for something different on the cognitive side.
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According to him they all have skills, technique and he likes them but he’s looking for what is needed now in Europe which are players that can use their brain more often.
“Players with brain is the main quality I’m looking for in this tournament. Players that are mentally top, that have brain and can make decisions in real time.
“Playing at the top level is not an issue for Nigerian players but in my opinion it’s more about adaptability”, he concluded.
Interestingly, Costicea grew up in Nigeria in the 80’s in Ondo state.
