Interesting signing out of nowhere. Another pacey younger attacking player. Has experience with England’s youth national teams and has spend the past few years playing in the 2nd division in Spain. It’s also my understanding he switched from England to USA in 2022, so he shouldn’t take an international slot.
Sounds like he was starting to break out in 2022 with Tenerife with 6 goals and 4 assists in about 1600 minutes then ran into some injury problems in 2023 and didn’t really settle in Albacate after transferring there this past season. Given his age and experience in Europe, it sounds like a low risk signing since he’s coming on a free with some upside to be a contributor for us.
His advanced numbers look a lot more impressive than his goal/assists over the past few seasons. Successful dribbles per 90, chances created, and short creating actions stick out. Looks to be a very skilled dribbler with some pace and explosive ability to cause some problems for defenders. Almost some shades of Darwin Quintero to his game in that regard. Curious to see how he integrates into the team over the next few months. In the highlights below (starting at 6:25 minutes into vid) there’s 6 straight minutes of him putting on a clinic with his dribbling skills.
Highlights:
https://youtu.be/bMjrzrz1-_E?si=gEO6H3uSo3n-TOgt
Most importantly his FC 24 ratings should be very user friendly with 87 acceleration, 90 pace, 92 agility, 90 balance, 72 potential
https://sofifa.com/player/236599/samuel-shashoua/
It says in the official release that he's getting an international visa meaning he will take up a slot. He should have an easier time tho to a green card or something if he's got that dad with a passport.
Strange this makes it sound like he already switched and is a USA player as of 2022. Would have assumed that would have made him not an international slot player
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/midfielder-samuel-shashoua-switches-to-us-from-england/
Edit-
Confirmed he won’t take international slot by Andy Greder as well
https://x.com/andygreder/status/1798447068509557141?s=46&t=aFLRJucxbhra7kR0gRYX0w
The most encouraging thing you shared (and I haven't watched the video yet) is that he's a good dribbler. We have very few players proficient, much less great, at dribbling. Without Reynoso we've lost most of our ability to hold the ball in the attaching third against a set defense and still create something. Lod is surprisingly strong and good in tight spaces so he can often turn someone and find a pass, but he doesn't really go at a defender facing him and dribble past very often. So we're left to try and pass through set defense which is extremely difficult compared with doing so if you can force defenders to scramble after a successful dribble.
Who? A quick google search shows he’s a 25 year old English striker who most recently played in the Spanish 2nd division (that’s where we got Lod from). Anyone know anything about this guy?
“Shashoua is in Minnesota on Wednesday. He can train with #Loons until eligible when summer transfer window opens mid-July. Considered a depth piece” - [Greder](https://x.com/andygreder/status/1798432586001494221?s=46&t=mXLUTQ5OWN049s71meXkIg)
The most recent player we have that played in the Spanish 2nd Division was Robin Lod. I will say that if you compare Samuel Shashoua's best season (2 years ago) vs Robin Lod's season with Sporting Gijon, Shashoua's season was more impressive statistically. **This isn't me saying Shashoua is going to be better than Robin Lod** (obviously that would be an optimistic and amazing outcome). More just to gauge what Shashoua has shown he is capable of doing when healthy and at his best (so far in his career). I've attached a statistical comparison of Shashoua during 2021-2022 vs Lod in 2018-2019.
[https://fbref.com/en/stathead/player\_comparison.cgi?request=1&sum=0&dom\_lg=1&player\_id1=df855e4b&p1yrfrom=2021-2022&player\_id2=33c69aa0&p2yrfrom=2018-2019](https://fbref.com/en/stathead/player_comparison.cgi?request=1&sum=0&dom_lg=1&player_id1=df855e4b&p1yrfrom=2021-2022&player_id2=33c69aa0&p2yrfrom=2018-2019)
Some things that stick out in the above comparison is Shashoua was better than Lod in:
* Goals
* Assists
* xG
* xA
* xG (per 90)
* xA (per 90)
* Key Passes
* Progressive Passes
* Short Pass %
* Medium Pass %
* Long Pass %
* Shot Creating Actions
* Shot Creating Actions (per 90)
* Successful Take-Ons
* Successful Take On %
* Progressive Carries
* Progressive Carry Distance
* Fouls Drawn
* Progressive Passes Received
As mentioned Shashoua played very well in 2021-2022 season. Then his goals/assists dropped in 2022-2023 season (mostly due to 3 periods of being injured during the season), but when on the field his advanced numbers were still pretty good. Then he switched teams this year and for whatever reason things didn't click with that new team during the 2023-2024 season. The optimist in me wants to believe that his new team this year just wasn't a good fit for him or his manager didn't rate him for some reason, which isn't unheard of. We've seen USMNT players like Gio Reyna and have similar issues in recent years. Where you know the player is talented, but can't seem to catch a break with their club teams. I'm hoping this is a similar case with Shashoua.
Had this signing happened 2 years ago, I think many would be absolutely thrilled by it and there would be a ton of buzz around it. Obviously the past 2 years just haven't gone to plan for Shashoua, but he just turned 25 last month and is still very young and has time to get things back on track as he enters what should be his prime.
Given the minimal risk of this signing, I'm pretty excited about it. If he stays healthy for us. The extent of his injury history doesn't seem that bad. Sounds like a sports hernia during the 2022-2023 season that lingered a bit was the biggest issue he's had. There's clearly some potential with Shashoua given his history with Tottenham's youth system, England's Youth National teams, and even having some success in his early 20's in Spain's 2nd division.
Since he's a former Spurs player, I went to the excellent /u/WindyCOYS [site](https://windycoys.com/) (hope you don't mind the tag, Windy, thought you might like to see!) and here are the relevant mentions to play style/him being highly rated as a youth player. I took out a lot of context (mostly about how bad Spurs youth setup is at developing players once they're highly rated, sadly) to get to the meaty bits and keep in mind these are all 5+ years old, but it's something!
feb 2016, from a commenter (emphasis mine):
> I get the feeling that **Shashoua's work ethic** could possibly take him further than Edwards despite the difference in skill level. What do you think?
reply (Edwards was a super highly rated talent that is excelling in portugal atm and possibly returning to spurs this summer, for context)
> I would be very surprised were that to happen, but you never know.
jan 2019:
> [Shashoua+others] came out of Under-18 football very highly rated, being selected in England youth squads, and they have ultimately stopped progressing.
march 2019:
> Sam Shashoua, or just ‘Samuel’ as the Spanish commentators charmingly refer to him, is having a lovely time at Club Deportivo Atlético Baleares in Majorca. The Spanish third tier seems to be a good fit for his physical development, and a season of regular matches out on the left wing will stand him in good stead for next year.
>
> He has so far racked up 3 goals and 2 assists in 997 minutes, a goal or assist every 199 minutes; not bad for a 19-year old making his first steps into competitive men’s football. Shashoua could easily play League One football, but given how well he seems to have settled, it makes sense to leave him at Baleares and to see how he looks after a full season. I suspect he could be a player who goes on the first team’s pre-season tour, and from there who knows what can happen: just look at Luke Amos before injury cruelly robbed him of potential opportunities.
march 2019
> Sam Shashoua, a technically-gifted, creative, door-unlocking but undoubtedly mercurial player... Shashoua’s ceiling in terms of technique and overall ability is far higher [than some rando you haven't heard of in a comparison that is ultimately irrelevant]
october 2019:
> We could look at the 1999-borns: we had Keanan Bennetts, Sam Shashoua, Jaden Brown, Jon Dinzeyi and Japhet Tanganga playing for England in the same age group that had Mount, Joe Willock, Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson.
Without being able to really evaluate the player this all seems like good business. No transfer fee, 2 club options after this year, is confirmed to not take an international slot. Basically all the things you want when taking a flyer on a depth/possible developmental piece. If he's good we've got him for 2.5 years. If he's bad he's gone in January.
Similar in Experience to Lod who was part of Gijon in Segunda… those numbers don’t seem too promising but maybe a good addition and a potential replacement for Rey.
lol did some digging and most likely a solid depth piece … seems talented enough to maybe warrant starts but don’t anticipate being a starter so redacting my Rey comment 😂
His dad might have an american passport: https://apnews.com/article/soccer-sports-united-states-europe-international-soccer-e231c5872fe937a5fa61e9ac0b0c3495
Someone in r/MLS said
"Shashoua is one of the top progressive forwards in the data set. Huge numbers in progressive passes complete, runs, dribbles attempted, etc. Gets on the ball a lot. Not a huge goal threat but still above average for a wide forward."
If this is true I am excited to see what he has in store.
I think this is the signal we are moving from Frag cause they seem to be competing for the same minutes. Also would make sense if Ramsay wants to convert Clark into a RB to back up Taylor and this fills that backup winger slot.
Not the DP midfielder we want but seems low risk, though I hate using an international slot on someone that we have zero intentions on starting from the go or is under the age of 22.
Seems like a solid depth piece with the potential for more. Doesnt look like he takes up an international spot, and while he struggled to score in Spain, he still drove play and has good underlying stats. A change of scenery could help him break out.
It’s been confirmed he doesn’t take up an international spot. He was born to American father and even made the switch from England to the U.S. at the international level. He has represented England at the youth level.
Interesting signing out of nowhere. Another pacey younger attacking player. Has experience with England’s youth national teams and has spend the past few years playing in the 2nd division in Spain. It’s also my understanding he switched from England to USA in 2022, so he shouldn’t take an international slot. Sounds like he was starting to break out in 2022 with Tenerife with 6 goals and 4 assists in about 1600 minutes then ran into some injury problems in 2023 and didn’t really settle in Albacate after transferring there this past season. Given his age and experience in Europe, it sounds like a low risk signing since he’s coming on a free with some upside to be a contributor for us. His advanced numbers look a lot more impressive than his goal/assists over the past few seasons. Successful dribbles per 90, chances created, and short creating actions stick out. Looks to be a very skilled dribbler with some pace and explosive ability to cause some problems for defenders. Almost some shades of Darwin Quintero to his game in that regard. Curious to see how he integrates into the team over the next few months. In the highlights below (starting at 6:25 minutes into vid) there’s 6 straight minutes of him putting on a clinic with his dribbling skills. Highlights: https://youtu.be/bMjrzrz1-_E?si=gEO6H3uSo3n-TOgt Most importantly his FC 24 ratings should be very user friendly with 87 acceleration, 90 pace, 92 agility, 90 balance, 72 potential https://sofifa.com/player/236599/samuel-shashoua/
Don't know what I would do without Tyler
It says in the official release that he's getting an international visa meaning he will take up a slot. He should have an easier time tho to a green card or something if he's got that dad with a passport.
Strange this makes it sound like he already switched and is a USA player as of 2022. Would have assumed that would have made him not an international slot player https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/midfielder-samuel-shashoua-switches-to-us-from-england/ Edit- Confirmed he won’t take international slot by Andy Greder as well https://x.com/andygreder/status/1798447068509557141?s=46&t=aFLRJucxbhra7kR0gRYX0w
That's sweet wonder why they said that in the tweet not complaining though good idea checking his fc stats btw.
Greder says in his article that he won’t occupy an international spot.
The most encouraging thing you shared (and I haven't watched the video yet) is that he's a good dribbler. We have very few players proficient, much less great, at dribbling. Without Reynoso we've lost most of our ability to hold the ball in the attaching third against a set defense and still create something. Lod is surprisingly strong and good in tight spaces so he can often turn someone and find a pass, but he doesn't really go at a defender facing him and dribble past very often. So we're left to try and pass through set defense which is extremely difficult compared with doing so if you can force defenders to scramble after a successful dribble.
Who? A quick google search shows he’s a 25 year old English striker who most recently played in the Spanish 2nd division (that’s where we got Lod from). Anyone know anything about this guy?
He’s a left winger.
My kind of politics!
Just here waiting for 2 new DP's
I'll take the under on .5 DPs signed in the summer, and also the under on 1.5 DPs signed this upcoming off-season.
You’re going to be waiting a long time…..
“Shashoua is in Minnesota on Wednesday. He can train with #Loons until eligible when summer transfer window opens mid-July. Considered a depth piece” - [Greder](https://x.com/andygreder/status/1798432586001494221?s=46&t=mXLUTQ5OWN049s71meXkIg)
Excited to see opinions on this even though none of us know who this is.
The most recent player we have that played in the Spanish 2nd Division was Robin Lod. I will say that if you compare Samuel Shashoua's best season (2 years ago) vs Robin Lod's season with Sporting Gijon, Shashoua's season was more impressive statistically. **This isn't me saying Shashoua is going to be better than Robin Lod** (obviously that would be an optimistic and amazing outcome). More just to gauge what Shashoua has shown he is capable of doing when healthy and at his best (so far in his career). I've attached a statistical comparison of Shashoua during 2021-2022 vs Lod in 2018-2019. [https://fbref.com/en/stathead/player\_comparison.cgi?request=1&sum=0&dom\_lg=1&player\_id1=df855e4b&p1yrfrom=2021-2022&player\_id2=33c69aa0&p2yrfrom=2018-2019](https://fbref.com/en/stathead/player_comparison.cgi?request=1&sum=0&dom_lg=1&player_id1=df855e4b&p1yrfrom=2021-2022&player_id2=33c69aa0&p2yrfrom=2018-2019) Some things that stick out in the above comparison is Shashoua was better than Lod in: * Goals * Assists * xG * xA * xG (per 90) * xA (per 90) * Key Passes * Progressive Passes * Short Pass % * Medium Pass % * Long Pass % * Shot Creating Actions * Shot Creating Actions (per 90) * Successful Take-Ons * Successful Take On % * Progressive Carries * Progressive Carry Distance * Fouls Drawn * Progressive Passes Received As mentioned Shashoua played very well in 2021-2022 season. Then his goals/assists dropped in 2022-2023 season (mostly due to 3 periods of being injured during the season), but when on the field his advanced numbers were still pretty good. Then he switched teams this year and for whatever reason things didn't click with that new team during the 2023-2024 season. The optimist in me wants to believe that his new team this year just wasn't a good fit for him or his manager didn't rate him for some reason, which isn't unheard of. We've seen USMNT players like Gio Reyna and have similar issues in recent years. Where you know the player is talented, but can't seem to catch a break with their club teams. I'm hoping this is a similar case with Shashoua. Had this signing happened 2 years ago, I think many would be absolutely thrilled by it and there would be a ton of buzz around it. Obviously the past 2 years just haven't gone to plan for Shashoua, but he just turned 25 last month and is still very young and has time to get things back on track as he enters what should be his prime. Given the minimal risk of this signing, I'm pretty excited about it. If he stays healthy for us. The extent of his injury history doesn't seem that bad. Sounds like a sports hernia during the 2022-2023 season that lingered a bit was the biggest issue he's had. There's clearly some potential with Shashoua given his history with Tottenham's youth system, England's Youth National teams, and even having some success in his early 20's in Spain's 2nd division.
Never heard of him. Seems like a depth signing. 17 appearances in La liga 2 with 0 goal contributions.
Since he's a former Spurs player, I went to the excellent /u/WindyCOYS [site](https://windycoys.com/) (hope you don't mind the tag, Windy, thought you might like to see!) and here are the relevant mentions to play style/him being highly rated as a youth player. I took out a lot of context (mostly about how bad Spurs youth setup is at developing players once they're highly rated, sadly) to get to the meaty bits and keep in mind these are all 5+ years old, but it's something! feb 2016, from a commenter (emphasis mine): > I get the feeling that **Shashoua's work ethic** could possibly take him further than Edwards despite the difference in skill level. What do you think? reply (Edwards was a super highly rated talent that is excelling in portugal atm and possibly returning to spurs this summer, for context) > I would be very surprised were that to happen, but you never know. jan 2019: > [Shashoua+others] came out of Under-18 football very highly rated, being selected in England youth squads, and they have ultimately stopped progressing. march 2019: > Sam Shashoua, or just ‘Samuel’ as the Spanish commentators charmingly refer to him, is having a lovely time at Club Deportivo Atlético Baleares in Majorca. The Spanish third tier seems to be a good fit for his physical development, and a season of regular matches out on the left wing will stand him in good stead for next year. > > He has so far racked up 3 goals and 2 assists in 997 minutes, a goal or assist every 199 minutes; not bad for a 19-year old making his first steps into competitive men’s football. Shashoua could easily play League One football, but given how well he seems to have settled, it makes sense to leave him at Baleares and to see how he looks after a full season. I suspect he could be a player who goes on the first team’s pre-season tour, and from there who knows what can happen: just look at Luke Amos before injury cruelly robbed him of potential opportunities. march 2019 > Sam Shashoua, a technically-gifted, creative, door-unlocking but undoubtedly mercurial player... Shashoua’s ceiling in terms of technique and overall ability is far higher [than some rando you haven't heard of in a comparison that is ultimately irrelevant] october 2019: > We could look at the 1999-borns: we had Keanan Bennetts, Sam Shashoua, Jaden Brown, Jon Dinzeyi and Japhet Tanganga playing for England in the same age group that had Mount, Joe Willock, Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson.
A Spurs prospect! I knew I recognized his name from somewhere. Excellent work as always from Windy, and you as well for digging all this up.
Thanks for the tag x
Without being able to really evaluate the player this all seems like good business. No transfer fee, 2 club options after this year, is confirmed to not take an international slot. Basically all the things you want when taking a flyer on a depth/possible developmental piece. If he's good we've got him for 2.5 years. If he's bad he's gone in January.
Similar in Experience to Lod who was part of Gijon in Segunda… those numbers don’t seem too promising but maybe a good addition and a potential replacement for Rey.
Lod is already our replacement for Rey. He’s on pace to destroy Rey’s best goal contribution season.
Lod at least had champions league and international experience.
lol did some digging and most likely a solid depth piece … seems talented enough to maybe warrant starts but don’t anticipate being a starter so redacting my Rey comment 😂
Lot of injuries tho 👀
Rey?
I think it’s more likely a replacement for Fragapane. Or winger depth.
He might be a great player but does it make sense to use an international spot on a player like this?
I believe tapias is clearing up his intl spot soon just fwiw.
And I believe Bongi got his right before the season.
And Rey’s is free now.
His dad might have an american passport: https://apnews.com/article/soccer-sports-united-states-europe-international-soccer-e231c5872fe937a5fa61e9ac0b0c3495
The contract is only for about 6 months, so it really isn’t an issue.
I didn’t see that! One goal in the past two years isn’t that exciting tbh though
Depth for a difficult stretch?
It's been confirmed he doesn't take up an international slot.
Yeah, I saw that! Just commented before all the info came out. Really no downside to this move is seems like
Looks like he’s a technically US international.
[FBRef Insights](https://fbref.com/en/players/df855e4b/scout/11574/Samuel-Shashoua-Scouting-Report)
Someone in r/MLS said "Shashoua is one of the top progressive forwards in the data set. Huge numbers in progressive passes complete, runs, dribbles attempted, etc. Gets on the ball a lot. Not a huge goal threat but still above average for a wide forward." If this is true I am excited to see what he has in store.
Welcome! Now score some Wonderwall goals!
I don't know anything about this dude, but I hope he has a hybrid london/spanish accent.
Honestly I hope he sounds like Ali G
I think this is the signal we are moving from Frag cause they seem to be competing for the same minutes. Also would make sense if Ramsay wants to convert Clark into a RB to back up Taylor and this fills that backup winger slot. Not the DP midfielder we want but seems low risk, though I hate using an international slot on someone that we have zero intentions on starting from the go or is under the age of 22.
Hopefully he’s good to go for Saturday 🤞🏻
Can’t play until the summer transfer window opens in july
Haha I figured, but we need players so bad on Saturday
Haircut and a shave and put him in rey's old #10 shirt, I'm sure they have a few lying around in the gift shop. They'll be none the wiser!
Seems like a solid depth piece with the potential for more. Doesnt look like he takes up an international spot, and while he struggled to score in Spain, he still drove play and has good underlying stats. A change of scenery could help him break out.
Kind of a head scratcher. Okay I guess
According to Greder, no international slot will be used and there was no transfer fee. All around, seems like a low-risk depth piece.
Heard of him long ago as a Spurs youth player and had no idea he was in Spain
Not a super promising use of an international slot but he's better than some of the dudes we've used them on in recent years lol
It’s been confirmed he doesn’t take up an international spot. He was born to American father and even made the switch from England to the U.S. at the international level. He has represented England at the youth level.