The number one indication of intelligence in a player for me is Space identification & Space Interpretation.

Having the off ball movement to create space & understanding where to then make your next move in order to hurt your opponent is not something easily taught.

In this picture, Joelson shows his intelligence by showing for the ball deep instead of covering the space he wants to attack.

He then plays a quick one two with his right back, & attacks the space he identified before he even received the ball.

Space identification

This second picture shows his outright quality. How many 17 year olds do you know who can whip a cross in with their weaker foot running at full speed?

A lot of wingers can cut it back or lace it into the danger area, they don't whip it in.

Final ball

Here is the video of both assists

Sancho as a 17 yr old had the mechanics, but he didn't yet have the intelligence to identify space.

Took too many touches & was often dispossessed trying too hard to beat his man when he just needed to use his dynamism to full effect.

It took until 18/19 season for him to have this understanding of not taking too many touches

In this clip, he takes one touch to control the ball, second to beat his man, third to pass it & look for the one two.

Unfortunately his teammate was not on the same wavelength

Jadon Sancho In this picture had a complete understanding of space identification & how to drop deep so your opponent follows you.

And then quickly playing a one two & accelerating passed them using your dynamism. This shows great intelligence & understanding of the game.

Is Joelson worth 45m? I don't think so. However, what I do know is that when you have an opportunity to sign players like him.

You make sure to pay whatever is asked. Priority or not, Players like Joelson dont come along every year. Arsenal can't afford to miss out on him