Watching Youri Tielemans Recently, I Can’t Help Comparing Him to Andrea Pirlo: Here’s Why

As an Aston Villa fan, I know this might sound outrageous—but I’ve watched Youri Tielemans command our midfield with a grace that reminds me of Andrea Pirlo, and I reckon he might just nudge ahead of the Italian legend. Tielemans has that same knack for picking out pinpoint passes and dictating the game’s rhythm, much like Pirlo did for AC Milan and Juventus. 

His long-range strikes—like that unforgettable FA Cup final screamer in 2021—echo Pirlo’s free-kick wizardry. But where Pirlo floated through matches with serene elegance, Tielemans brings a modern tenacity and guile, chasing down opponents and battling in the Premier League’s frantic tempo, making him a more complete player in today’s game.

Now, Pirlo’s World Cup and Champions League heroics cement his immortal status, and sure—some football fans might roll their eyes at this comparison. But Tielemans’ recent showings against elite sides prove he’s not just holding his own—he’s thriving. Against PSG in the Champions League, he was a maestro, threading passes through a packed midfield with Pirlo-like vision, controlling the tempo with poise under pressure. 

Then came his MOTM performance against Newcastle, where he married flair with fight—tirelessly breaking up play and launching attacks, showcasing a level of defensive grit the Italian rarely had to call upon.

These performances scream Pirlo comparisons—but with a twist. Tielemans blends elegance with the relentless edge today’s game demands, switching effortlessly between playmaker and battler. At 27, he’s hitting new heights, and in this era, he might just be the more complete midfielder. UTV

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