Born in Ukraine, Stepanov began his football journey in the academy of Shakhtar Donetsk. However, his path took an unexpected turn when Russia's invasion forced him to leave his homeland. Following trials with Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen, the talented youngster opted for the latter, joining Die Werkself in the summer of 2022 at just 15 years old.

Since arriving in Leverkusen, Stepanov has flourished as a prolific goalscorer. In 49 appearances across the U17 and U19 Bundesliga levels, he has delivered an impressive 35 goals and 6 assists. His outstanding performances have caught the attention of Xabi Alonso, earning him opportunities with the senior squad. Most notably, Stepanov made his professional debut in a commanding 5-0 victory over RB Salzburg in the UEFA Champions League.

On the international stage, Stepanov has represented Ukraine at every youth level. However, his future allegiance hangs in the balance as Germany explores the possibility of naturalizing the promising forward. Reports suggest Stepanov is open to committing to the DFB, a decision that could profoundly impact the footballing trajectories of both nations. While this remains speculative at present, the outcome could have a pivotal effect on both countries' footballing fortunes.

Injury History

No notable injuries that should have an impact on his value or future potential.

Player Style

Artem Stepanov is a modern target man. He is a tall and strong athlete, with the abilities of a traditional target man, but also the capacity to attack face to goal with surging runs into the penalty box thanks to his pace, power, and verticality.

Player Model: Erling Haaland

Strengths

Extremely Powerful Accelerator & Runner

Stepanov boasts exceptional top speed and acceleration, reaching dynamic speeds in an instant. His long strides enable him to maintain an elite running tempo over greater distances, often allowing him to outrun opponents and create significant separation as he progresses.

Physically Robust & Capable of Creating Effective Separation

Standing at an imposing 1.92 meters, Artem Stepanov combines his towering stature with remarkable physical robustness and maturity. His physique is well-developed and balanced, showing none of the awkwardness often associated with extremely tall players at youth level.

This physicality is not just evident in his appearance, but it also translates seamlessly onto the pitch. Stepanov possesses an elite ability to create separation from defenders or hold off pressure using his strong upper body. This allows him to excel as a target man, often taking additional touches to control and settle the play in scenarios where most forwards might resort to a rushed or uncontrolled pass under the same amount of pressure.

Superb Open Space Ball Carrier

Stepanov leverages his physical attributes to great effect in open-space ball-carrying situations. He excels at covering ground quickly during transitions, often driving play forward with powerful runs.

Strong Movement Patterns & Timing for Release Beyond Opposition Lines

Not only does Stepanov have the physical quality to penetrate space beyond an opposition backline, but he also has the intelligence and timing to exploit these moments effectively. He plays very well on the final shoulder of opponents, and has great timing for penetrating an offside line at the right moment. Furthermore, Stepanov frequently utilizes deceptive movement patterns, feinting in one direction before exploding into the opposite space. This clever use of counter-movements often leaves defenders wrong-footed, allowing him to receive the ball to feet with no opponent in his vicinity.

Displays Excellent Awareness & Unselfish Vision for Better-Placed Teammates

While Stepanov possesses natural goalscoring instincts, he remains unselfish and consistently aware of better-positioned teammates in the final third. He rarely shoots from difficult angles when a teammate has a clearer opportunity, and his 360-degree vision allows him to stay fully aware of his surroundings at all times.

Willingness to Return Behind the Ball when Overplayed

When Stepanov is overplayed, he often works to recover his defensive position or applies pressure from behind. This creates a bottleneck for the opponent, congesting the play and unsettling them with pressure coming from multiple angles. While Stepanov may not always be the one to win back possession, his relentless work rate often plays a crucial role in forcing turnovers later in the sequence.

Strong Attention to Pressing Sequences

Out of possession, Stepanov demonstrates exceptional engagement and commitment to pressing opponents. He applies relentless pressure, leveraging his athleticism to disrupt opposing players and force them into hurried long passes.

Clean & Tight First Touch

Stepanov’s first touch is one of his standout attributes, characterized by its precision and close control. This skill is particularly crucial in the congested central areas where he frequently operates, enabling him to retain possession and sustain play even under intense pressure.

⭐Exceptional Link-up Play

Artem Stepanov’s ground link-up play is nothing short of world-class, even at this early stage in his career. He excels at involving teammates with sharp, one-touch passes that are both perfectly weighted and precisely placed to sustain the rhythm of an attack. His ability to control and swiftly release even the most challenging passes is remarkable, showcasing his technical mastery. Beyond his precision, Stepanov brings an element of creativity and imagination to his play, often using delicate flicks or backheels to bypass pressure with flair and ingenuity.

Weaknesses

Lacks Technical Ingenuity & Creativity to Release Out of Tight Spaces in Isolation

Stepanov excels in passing and link-up play, particularly in navigating tight spaces. However, he is less effective in one-on-one duels that demand skillful ball manipulation and creative flair.

Requires Further Development as an Aerial Target

While Stepanov is not ineffective as an aerial target, there is room for improvement given his towering 1.93-meter frame. His ability to serve as a reliable outlet for long-range passes in aerial duels definitely lags behind the exceptional quality he demonstrates in ground play. At present, his aerial presence falls short of the standard expected for a player of his size at the senior level, and this would be an area he would quickly need to improve to transition to men’s football.

Poor Body Language & Mental Triggers Following Turnovers & Errors

I want to preface this section by noting that my analysis of Stepanov is based solely on video observation, which limits my ability to make definitive assessments of his mental, cognitive, and personality traits.

That said, one noticeable area for improvement is his reaction to mistakes. Stepanov often displays poor body language after errors, such as slumped shoulders and visible frustration. These reactions can hinder his ability to immediately apply counter-pressure or stay mentally sharp to seize opportunities from advantageous bounces or deflections. This is particularly critical for a center-forward, where maintaining focus and resilience in high-pressure moments can make-or-break a striker at the elite level.

Could Refine his Impact with Greater Specialization

Stepanov possesses outstanding qualities that allow him to influence multiple phases of the game, but he could enhance his impact and efficiency by refining his focus and specializing in his actions. For instance, he occasionally drifts too far from goal, reducing his effectiveness in the most dangerous areas. By concentrating more on completing his actions closer to the goal, Stepanov could maximize his contributions and become an even greater asset to his team.

⭐Lacks Ruthlessness in 1v1 Finishing Scenarios

Artem Stepanov’s most notable area for improvement lies in developing greater ruthlessness in front of goal. While he excels at creating scoring opportunities through his on-ball skills and intelligent off-ball movement, he currently requires a high volume of chances to convert. His efficiency in finishing, particularly in one-on-one situations against goalkeepers, remains a work in progress. Sharpening this aspect of his game could elevate him to an even more formidable level as a striker.

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GRADING

Current Ability

A club/level of club where the player has the qualities to play at least 70% of available minutes right now.

4/10 - A Starting Player for a Competitive Second Bundesliga Outfit

• Hannover 96

• SC Paderborn

• Fortuna Düsseldorf

Potential Ability

A club/level of club where the player has the qualities to play at least 70% of available minutes at his career peak.

9/10 - An Elite European Outfit with the potential to compete for titles in all competitions

• FC Barcelona

• FC Liverpool

• Paris S.G.

OVERVIEW

Artem Stepanov is one of the most remarkable 2007-born center-forwards in world football. His blend of technical finesse and physical prowess is extraordinary, positioning him as one of the most well-rounded striking talents in the modern game. Stepanov combines dynamism, power, and verticality with a silky first touch, intelligent off-the-ball movement, and outstanding ground link-up play.

While there is room for improvement in his finishing ruthlessness and aerial ability, the Ukrainian talent is on an exceptional trajectory. With his current development, Stepanov has all the tools to emerge as one of the premier center-forwards at the highest level of European football.

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