What are his Strengths?
With a pass success percentage of nearly 90% in the league this season, Sanchez is clearly adept at retaining the ball and is often the first port of call for goalkeeper, Andre Onana when starting a fresh attack.
Despite standing at just 1.87m tall, the young Colombian is a dominant header of the ball in his defensive capacity and also provides an aerial threat from corners and set pieces. This ability was clearly illustrated by the brace of headed goals Sanchez buried to get off the mark for his new club – the 20-year-old setting his side on the road to a 5-1 demolition of visitors, PEC Zwolle on 24th September. He headed home a Davy Klaassen flick-on from a Hakim Ziyech corner from close range in the 8th minute before later out-muscling Dirk Marcellis to head home his second direct from a Ziyech corner from the left seven minutes before the break.
However, his goal-scoring attributes do not end with just a formidable heading ability as was proven during Ajax’s 4-1 victory over AZ Alkmaar on 5th April. Having initially controlled a Ziyech corner from the left by heading the ball into the ground, the 20-year-old centre half then lashed the ball beyond the reach of AZ’s Dutch international ‘keeper, Tim Krul with a spectacular bicycle kick to put the hosts back into the lead with nineteen minutes to play.
A mobile and athletic centre half, Sanchez is adept at utilising his 83kg frame when required to out-muscle opposing forwards. With an ability to read the play like few his age, he also possesses a deceptive pace that allows him to remain a step ahead of the opposition – an attribute he showcased when beating Leon de Kogel to head the ball to safety after the Go Ahead Eagles forward had seen his spot-kick saved by Andre Onana during the two sides’ meeting at De Adelaarshorst on 28th August. The young Colombian showed the strength of character to make amends after having been adjudged to have clipped the heels of Marcel Ritzmaier in the area by referee, Pol van Boekel just seconds earlier.
