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Alex Freeman has taken less than a year to establish himself as a rising star in European football, with the Premier League’s biggest sides taking note of his outstanding performances for Villarreal in La Liga.
The 22-year-old Freeman left MLS side Orlando City in January to move to Spain, where he has caught the eye of Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham ahead of the January transfer window.
If Villarreal flip him within a year, they are sure to receive a huge bump on the €3.5m they initially paid for the 22-year-old, particularly with the USMNT star under contract until 2032.
What makes Freeman a ‘superb’ player
Freeman has seen his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) rise to €6.1m over the course of 2026, and based on his performances he can expect this figure to grow at a rapid rate in the months ahead.
His statistics make for excellent reading for prospective buyers, with Freeman showing himself every inch the modern full-back that top teams expect.
“Alex is a superb player. He can play in many positions, and his dynamism and skill make me more willing to play him. He’s capable of playing with incredible composure,” Villarreal boss Inigo Perez enthused after Freeman was named Man of the Match against Valencia, despite playing in a less-familiar left-back role.
Defensively this season, he posts more than twice as many counter interceptions in the opponents’ half than the La Liga average, while his possession regains are almost similarly high. This highlights his defensive qualities, particularly playing in front-footed team, which is the fashion among most of Europe’s leading clubs at present.
But there is also an attacking dimension to his game, highlighted by his strong number of carries, overlapping runs and passes into the final third. Indeed, the only area where he is below the league standard is crosses.
All this means that SciSports rates him as one of the leading full-backs in La Liga this season. The data analytics company would point out that the data grows in precision along with the number of minutes played, with 900 the benchmark figure it likes to use for an accurate interpretation. Given that it’s still early in the season and Freeman has played 644 minutes, he falls short of this figure, but the early indications are hugely positive.
On top of all of this, Freeman is an excellent athlete. He possesses impressive stamina but it’s his speed that really makes him stand out physically.
And USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino has recognised that he has the potential to go all the way to the top.
“Alex has the potential to be one of the best in the world in his position,” he said of the full-back during a World Cup in which Freeman caught the eye.
Having just turned 22, 2027 will be a pivotal year for Freeman, with the promise of a big move if he can continue his excellent form.
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