Who Is Alexandru Maxim? A Scout Report Of The Talented Romanian
Having been in Spain for 4 years as a youngster, Maxim went back to Romania to play for Pandurii Targu where his 44 games and 9 goals got him a move to the Bundesliga with Stuttgart. 11 goals in 88 games while in the top flight seemed to represent steady progress for the young player. However, last season’s relegation meant a dip in confidence for everyone at the club.
Just 2 goals in 19 games since relegation has not been the sort of return that Maxim – or Stuttgart for that matter – would have wanted and so it seems like he may leave the club in the summer. Despite claims that he can become a top class player, he has been in and out of the starting line-up this season. Maxim and his agent have accused Stuttgart of lacking faith in him, but questions have to be raised about his performances.
In terms of game time, Maxim played 1683 minutes spread over 29 games for Stuttgart in 2013/14. This became 1145 minutes over 26 games in 14/15 and 1046 minutes over 25 games last season. This steady decline is discouraging, as this usually means the player is regressing or that his club have a reason to not pick him on such a regular basis.
2 goals and 5 assists from just 9 Bundesliga-II starts look very impressive, so his finishing quality and final ball are very much still a positive. A goal or assist every 135 minutes is genuinely good for a player who is on and off the bench with regularity. Maxim’s pass completion rate of 79% is not bad either, for a player who likes to run with the ball.
Averaging 2 key passes per game is definitely a club high at Stuttgart, so is his 1.2 crosses per match. Despite his apparent failings, Maxim’s qualities in the final third are clearly evident and he’s one player who can cause some serious damage in any league if given the chance.
Promotion looks likely now for Stuttgart without the need to rely on the £1.70m rated attacker, so a sale looks like a high possibility as it is highly doubtful as to whether they will back him in the Bundesliga again. English club Leeds United are believed to be monitoring him and they may make an official bid soon.
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