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From the latest transfer news, quizzes, videos, features and interviews with the biggest names in the game, plus lots more.Signup +Once a week...And its LIVE!Sign up to our FREE live football newsletter, tracking all of the biggest games available to watch on the device of your choice. Never miss a kick-off!Signup +Join the clubGet full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in.Subscribe to our newsletterGeorgian football has arguably never been this good.With Khvicha Kvaratskhelia leading the charge in Europe, the likes of Giorgi Mamardashvili and Georges Mikautadze have followed with big moves in the past two years.Saba Kharebashvili, however, might just be the nation's most exciting prospect in a generation: here's your two-minute scout report. You may like Who exactly is Mbekezeli Mbokazi? FourFourTwo's two-minute scout report Who exactly is Marco Palestra? FourFourTwo's two-minute scout report Who exactly is Dastan Satpayev? FourFourTwo's two-minute scout report So who exactly is Saba Kharebashvili?PROFILEName: Saba KharebashviliPosition/s: Left-back, left wing-backAge: 17 (Born: September 3, 2008)Nationality: GeorgianHeight: 1.84m (6ft 0in)Preferred Foot: LeftCurrent Club: Dinamo TbilisiEmerging from the same academy as Kvaratskhelia, left-back Saba Kharebashvili or Roberto Kharelos, to coin him a Kvaradona nickname is already the youngest player to feature in a UEFA competition at just 15 years old and is regarded as one of the most sought-after teenagers on the continent, having become a regular for Dinamo Tbilisi. He's already made his debut for Georgia's senior side, naturally, becoming the Crusaders' youngest-ever player, too.The 2008-born defender is a unicorn profile of sorts: a proficient playmaker with a wand of a left foot, with a box-to-box engine and the build of a rugged centre-back. Hopes are understandably high for him, with the teenager himself said to be a huge Real Madrid fan, having grown up idolising Cristiano Ronaldo.Kharebashvili's strengthsPlaymaking and delivery: It's obvious from watching Kharebashvili that he was a midfielder at youth level, with his incisive passing, penchant for verticality and comfort in build-up all obvious from watching him at Dinamo. The teenager has exceptional vision, enjoys a raking diagonal and can deliver a cross with whip and pace, first time from tight angles making him an excellent option from the dead ball, too.Acceleration and engine: Blessed with blistering speed, Kharebashvili is a weapon in transition, either attacking down a flank or using his recovery pace the other way. He has Kvaratskhelia's shuffly burst, offering intensity over short sprints and he can go again and again, showing very little fatigue playing full games in men's football.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Physique and strength: At 6ft tall at the age of 17 years old, the Georgian has towered over his peers from a young age. While most players with such proficiency on the ball are diminutive players who use low centres of gravity to shield the ball, Kharebashvili uses his frame to fend off challenges.Tactical versatility: Nominally a left-back, such a blend of strengths makes Kharebashvili capable in several positions: but more importantly, he's a generalist of a left-back. He can stay back and operate on the first line of build-up, step into midfield and receive as an inverted full-back, and overlap down the flank, with a skillset comparable to the likes of Riccardo Calafiori or David Alaba.Precocious maturity: Having been around senior set-ups from an extremely young age and chosen as a captain of his country in various youth groups, Kharebashvili is incredibly mature and already hailed for his temperament. Arguably, perhaps, the surest sign that he can go to the very top. You may like Who exactly is Dastan Satpayev? FourFourTwo's two-minute scout report Who exactly is Mikel Jauregizar? FourFourTwo's two-minute scout report Who exactly is Ezechiel Banzuzi? FourFourTwo's two-minute scout report Saba Kharebashvili - Beast in the Making - YouTubeWatch On Kharebashvili's areas of developmentDiscipline: Though his interception numbers are superb, Kharebashvili can be impatient in his tackling, and with occasional lapses of concentration, there's certainly a case that he's more useful to a team in possession than out. He will naturally develop in time especially when he steps up to higher levels but don't be surprised to see him lose runners and commit unnecessary fouls.Aerial duels: Despite his height, Kharebashvili isn't particularly aggressive when it comes to winning headers. He could do with mastering the dark arts when it comes to aerial duels.Two-footedness: Kharebashvili's left foot is so good that he doesn't use his right very often. It's not exactly an issue for a left-back, but should he transition into midfield or become a centre-back in time, he's going to have become a little more ambipedal.Kharebashvili's ceilingMORE REPORTSDEFENDERS Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Victor Valdepenas, Marco PalestraCoaches, analysts and scouts alike clearly believe that the sky is the limit for Kharebashvili, who is already linked with a huge move to Western Europe when he turns 18 in September. With such a unique set of abilities, the only question mark remains how he can transition from Georgian football to one of Europe's top five leagues and how quickly he can adapt to the rigours of a tougher environment. The signs are clearly good, however, given his incredible development thus far.Mark WhiteSocial Links NavigationContent EditorMark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robsons time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.
