Field Insider

Axel Witsel

Experienced headNice · 37 yrsStarterNew signing

based on the 2025/26 season · updated 20 Aug 2026

Profile

Full nameAxel Laurent Angel Lambert Witsel
PositionFull-back
NationalityBelgium
Age37
Date of birth12 Jan 1989
BirthplaceLiège
Height186 cm
Shirt number#20
ClubNice
Full-back
32
Appearances
1
Goals
2
Assists
2533
Minutes

Domestic-league season · Girona.

Scout report

Experienced headFull-back

A. Witsel is a 37-year-old full-back at Girona, enjoying a standout season — 1 goals and 2 assists in 32 appearances, a Season grade of 21. On long-term scout potential he's rated 19.6. A seasoned veteran, he has been a regular starter (74.1% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 2.74 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Witsel.

On the season, Witsel graded 21 for current form (age-blind), on 4 clean sheets and 2.736 defensive actions per 90.

Year-on-year, that's a clear step up on last season (Season 11 → 21). Over the 6 seasons on record his form has held fairly steady, peaking in 2023/24.

On long-term talent our Rating reads 20. At 37 Witsel is into the veteran stage, where the age curve weighs on the projection, and a market index of 5.4 reflects that trajectory.

From the career report
Read the full career report →

Below his 2023/24 peak but holding a solid level — the platform for a return is there.

Peak: 2023/24Holding levelBreakout: 2023/24
19.6
Ratingi
below regular-starter level
20.5
Seasoni
below regular-starter level
74.1%
Minutes
a regular starter
2.74
Def. actions / 90
moderate defensive volume

Output in context · Girona finished 19th of 20 · a relegation-threatened side

32
Apps
2.74
Def. / 90
36
Tackles
30
Interceptions
4
Clean sheets

2.74 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — moderate defensive volume, with 4 clean sheets across 32 appearances. Doing that for a relegation-threatened side (19th of 20) is harder than the bare numbers suggest: a back line under more pressure has to defend more often and protects fewer leads, so the volume — and any clean sheets — carry real weight. Going forward he chipped in 1 goal and 2 assists — a useful bonus from the back.

Strengths

  • Availability. On the pitch for 74.1% of available minutes — a dependable presence in the XI.

Watch points

  • Age curve. At 37, both level and resale value are on the downslope.
  • Level. Rates below a nailed-on top-tier starter on our model.

Outlook

Rated 19.6 overall — below regular-starter level. Defensively he reads as moderate defensive volume (2.74 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). Veteran phase — a short-term, lower-fee proposition as both level and value decline (0.5× and falling).

Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.

Season statistics

Bars = where he ranks among full-backs in the Ligue 1 with 600+ minutes this season.

Shooting

Goals1

Passing

Assists2

Defending

Tackles36
Interceptions30
Blocks11

Yellow/red cards

Yellow cards3
Red cards1