Scout Report: Kevin Volland

Kevin Volland might not have been a name that many were expecting to hear across Europe’s major leagues this season, but it’s one that clubs and their fans are quickly becoming familiar with as the German under-21 international continues to impress for Hoffenheim.

In his 15 league games so far this year, the forward-cum-winger has netted an impressive seven goals and created a further 16 goalscoring chances. It’s this attacking potency that has seen him linked (via the Daily Mirror) with a possible move during the January transfer window.

Along with finding the back of the net on a regular basis this season, Volland has also proven to be very consistent and effective in front of goal. The German has found the target with 68 per cent of his total shots this year and in terms of his chance conversion rate, 28 per cent of his total goalscoring opportunities have been dispatched. For a forward still in his formative years, that represents a very good return with plenty of potential improvement down the line.

Volland has also proven to be adept in creating and sustaining attacks this year.

He’s won over 50 per cent of his attempted tackles, which is certainly an impressive statistic for a forward. Add to that the completion 41 out of 63 attempted take-ons — close to three total take-ons per match – and you begin to understand why their is a queue forming for his services.

His 31 per cent success rate in headed duels isn’t quite as high as some managers might like to see, particularly in terms of making a move to the Premier League, but that fact depends a lot on his diminutive physical stature, and of course the system that he is deployed within.

Volland was impressive for Hoffenheim on the weekend as they drew 2-2 with Champions League runners-up Borussia Dortmund — chalking up a goal and and impressive five take-ons from seven attempts — and proved to be a huge influence out on the right wing.

Such a performance won’t have gone unnoticed by many interested managers as the January transfer window draws ever closer. For a club like Arsenal, who are certainly in the market for a new attacking option this winter, Volland is an attractive option worth pursuing.