In 2017, Monaco went on an incredible run in the Champions League, reaching the Semi Finals where they would suffer defeat at the hands of Juventus.
Two years later, almost all their star players had left the South of France, as they pursued careers elsewhere. Monaco had to build their squad with exciting talents once again.
At the same time, a young midfielder, Enzo Millot was breaking through the ranks and was quickly promoted to Monaco’s B team. A year later, he would make his debut, in a 1-0 league defeat against Brest.
German side, VfB Stuttgart quickly became aware of the midfielder. Stuttgart have become a team interested in buying young players to help them push high up the league, and Millot was seen as a talent to help them reach that goal.
In the summer transfer window of 2021, Millot signed a four-year-contract with Die Roten, in a deal worth €2 million. Since signing, he has worked hard to become a regular starter, and this season become a vital part to Stuttgart’s team, being rewarded with a new 4-year-deal back in January.
He’s been linked with moves away this summer to Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, but if Stuttgart are able to qualify for the Champions League, the Frenchmen could well be interested in remaining at the club.
Whether he’s playing as a 6,8 or 10, Millot is constantly standing out on the pitch, and he has the qualities to be great in each one of those positions. So what is so special about Enzo Millot?
Passing Ability
Millot’s best ability is comfortably his passing. Whether he’s playing quick one-twos in the middle of the pitch to find space between opposition lines, slowing the play down to settle Stuttgart in the middle of the pitch, or playing the killer pass to unlock a defence, Millot has it all.
He is constantly looking for the pass, and more than often, finds the feet of his teammate. He’s in the 92nd percentile for completed passes, and he’s plays an extremely high number of them.
When he gets the ball and looks for the pass, his main objective to to pick apart the opponent. A lot of times he switches the play to the other side of the pitch, to start fresh attacking plays, or simply across the pitch into the other midfielders feet like Atakan Karazor.
Stuttgart Manager, Sebastian Hoeneß’s system dictates how effective Millot is with his passing. The 3-4-3 doesn’t allow Millot too much attacking freedom, as that comes down more to the attacking fullbacks. Therefore, the 21-year-old is focusing his play down the flanks to build these fast attacks.
Dribbling In Attacking Phases
The Frenchmen doesn’t just play in the midfield pivot, but sometimes plays in the attacking three, normally off the right hand side.
When he takes up this position, not only is passing a really quality of his, but his dribbling in the wide positions is truly a quality to possess. When he’s in these positions, he’s always looking to be on the front foot. Taking the ball forward into dangerous terrority with direct dribbling.
He looks for the 1v1 oppurtunties in the areas outside the box, and if he can free himself, looks to supply the clubs top scorer, Serhou Guirassy into goal scoring spaces.
However, when his fancy footwork doesn’t cut it, he continues to push himself to win fouls and set pieces in tricky positions.
Defensive Actions
The final piece to the jigsaw with Millot is his off the ball support, and how he impacts Stuttgart when they are having to defend, with his ‘defend from the front’ mindset.
When he’s playing further up the pitch, he’s always trying to pick the ball off of the opponents feet to start quick counter attacks, which work really well when he links up with his team mates in the final third.
Ultimately, he’s the piece of the team that connects the midfield and the attack as he wins the ball back, connects the space and plays the passes to his team mates which normally lead to goals.
Millot has shown people that he has the quality to be a serious talent in the future, and is already shown how good he can be this season, being a big part of the reason Stuttgart are in the run-in for Champions League football next season.
Final Whistle 