In L’Équipe, Alexandre Letellier (34), Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper, discussed the unexpected aerial prowess of João Neves (21), the Benfica midfielder regularly linked with PSG. He explained how the young Portuguese player compensates for his height with a sense of timing and anticipation that makes him a real threat in duels.
Letellier: “There was the element of surprise.”
“I think that initially, beyond his heading ability, there was the element of surprise. You see a player of that height going upfield, you don’t necessarily expect him to be dangerous.
But now, even knowing him, he’s so intelligent in his movement, his timing, and his anticipation of the trajectory that he’s a real danger. He can even be more dangerous than a 1.90m player.” Now, opponents will be more attentive to him and perhaps less to others…
Alexandre Letellier isn’t just praising João Neves; he’s analyzing a phenomenon. For him, the Portuguese midfielder’s greatest strength lies in the element of surprise. With his compact build, Neves doesn’t fit the classic profile of a dominant aerial player. Yet, as soon as he unleashes his run, everything changes.
Letellier emphasizes the combination of intelligent movement, trajectory reading, and surgical timing. This trio allows him not only to compete with taller opponents but sometimes even surpass them in efficiency.
The key is that once the element of surprise wears off, his danger remains undiminished. Defenders know he’s coming… but often arrive too late. A rare quality in a 21-year-old midfielder, and yet another reason why his name is so frequently linked with Paris Saint-Germain.
