Speaking to The Athletic, former scout at Tottenham and Bournemouth who also worked with other clubs, David Webb, has spoken at length about AC Milan target Noa Lang and shared much insight about his qualities and insight. Here are his words:
"Noa Lang is a natural ball-carrier, creator and goalscorer whether operating centrally or off either flank, whose game really developed rapidly within the Ajax youth system, and a player who would excel in the Premier League. There is something of the Emile Smith Rowe about him — forever making those third-man runs while carrying such a potent attacking threat. He’s a player who won’t hug the touchline if operating wide, but will always look to cut in-field. Or he could operate centrally in a 4-3-3 alongside two more defensive-minded midfielders, with licence to get forward as a line-breaker."
"He’s athletic, but wiry rather than physically imposing — highly technical, as you would expect, but he can run past players and has weighed in with a regular number of assists and goals over his time in Belgium. There are times when players from the Belgian and Dutch leagues struggle to make the breakthrough in England, largely due to the physical nature of the football over here, but the impact Lang has made in the Champions League suggests he has the qualities to make his mark", said David Webb, "That competition offers a variety of challenges, and he has shown he can compete in more physical battles, as well as against elite opposition."
"He was Club Bruges’ best player in their group games against Paris Saint-Germain last season, and (PSG head coach Mauricio) Pochettino believes that, with the right coaching, he’ll be at a top club in two or three years’ time. If you’ve stood out in Europe, you’ve got something about you."
David Webb added:
"He left Ajax in search of game time, recognising that need to maintain his development, and seems like a player with a set idea over his progression. Now that he has won domestic honours and played European football to a good level, he’ll want to test himself in a one of Europe’s elite leagues."
On the interest on Noa Lang and if he can suit the style of Premier League clubs:
"AC Milan have been linked with him. The Premier League will be tempting for a player who is now a full international and involved in the Netherlands’ current Nations League campaign. Arsenal have scouted him. Where Antonio Conte’s system at Spurs might be too rigid to incorporate him, he’s the type of player who might make an impact at a side like Aston Villa, Everton or Newcastle."
