Leo Scienza

[Turkish]

8 hours ago, CB Fry said:

Not sure that posting some platitudes on Instagram is "real leadership" in any way shape or form.

Plenty to complain about but that isn't one of them.

It wasn’t just that. He came over to the fans at the end who were giving the players loads of shit, rightly so. Looked like he was trying to say something about sticking together. The rest of them didn’t even get past the penalty area and turned around quickly once they realised they weren’t getting polite applause for their “efforts” for once 

[Patches O Houlihan]

9 hours ago, ant said:

Not sure what he was saying to Welington after his red card, but the body language appeared that of a mentor. 

He's enigmatic, but with the talent to back any swagger; passionate, but appears level-headed with it.

Going by SR's record, a capture of blind luck.

Enjoy him for the season.

Someone on here just after the end of the window suggested that he was a Will Still pick - SR had bought their ‘investments’, Still couldn’t see a match winner and was persuasive enough to push the deal through. 
I don’t know the source for this. 
 

He definitely seems to be the type to take responsibility, roll his sleeves up and get stuck in - but because he is talented it is often very positive. Have loved watching him since I was first told we were just watching another Steve de Ridder video against shit oppo.

[BarberSaint]

2 hours ago, rooney said:

That clever step over before he shot for goal was great. It showed quality in trying to make the goal keeper go the other way to put him off balance. before he scored.

Wasn't a step-over, but dragged with the sole of the boot but it did what you said: made the keeper change slightly to open up the angle which is what Leo wanted (some people in the match thread questioned why).

[chiknsmack]

5 hours ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

Someone on here just after the end of the window suggested that he was a Will Still pick - SR had bought their ‘investments’, Still couldn’t see a match winner and was persuasive enough to push the deal through. 
I don’t know the source for this. 

That sounds plausible; Scienza is a bit of a stat nerd/computer game favourite. I think MLG was posting graphs on here before he signed showing that he was an extreme outlier in some attacking stats, and the YouTube channel Sincere FC has a couple of videos applying the NBA metric usage rate (how often your team's possessions end with you) to football, where Leo stood out. When comparing "end product" (goals, assists, and shot-creating actions) to this usage rate (both stats being per 96 minutes played and adjusted for team possession stats), he was amongst the highest in Europe for both stats last season. For CAMs he's in the same region (but ahead of) players like Bruno Fernandes and Eberechi Eze. That is, his teams possessions end with him a lot, and he creates a lot with the ball.

Paul Onuachu also got a special mention in one of the videos. His usage rate last season was higher than players like Mbuemo and Saka, but his end product was practically non-existent (ie. his high usage rate came from him losing the ball a lot as the only target man for a shit team, as opposed to Mbuemo/Saka/Scienza getting theirs from attacking and shooting a lot).

[Saint86]

No question that he is one of our best attacking players, up there with AA for effectiveness and more skilled and enjoyable to warch (re AA before someone tells me of - I mean for this level and when used properly he is a very good attacker, whereas scienza I think can step up to the prem ability wise). Scienza, Charles, and AA should all be the first names on the teamsheet. Sadly charles is now injured. Rotten game yesterday 😭

Edited October 26 by Saint86

[Challenger]

SR,s attention is probably not on the manager or crap results but on how much profit they can make on this bloke.

[SW5 SAINT]

1 hour ago, Challenger said:

SR,s attention is probably not on the manager or crap results but on how much profit they can make on this bloke.

Sadly that’s all we are now, a business of buying and selling players, and SR with a few exceptions, like this chap, are pretty crap at that…..

[Paul_B]

He definitely seems to have a bit about him on and off the pitch. Just a shame we can't fully enjoy having him here as our monumental shitness overshadows anything remotely good. He will 100% be gone in the summer and fair play to him! SR will be very proud of themselves for making a few million as well.....great success!

[aintforever]

He does look quality, the fact that we have a player of his quality and we are still sat below Oxford and Portsmouth in the table says all you need to know about the manager.

[AlexLaw76]

1 hour ago, aintforever said:

He does look quality, the fact that we have a player of his quality and we are still sat below Oxford and Portsmouth in the table says all you need to know about the manager.

And we have Fellows and Azaz plodding around in the wrong position or not on the pitch at all.

Fucking criminal

[BranfootsLoveChild]

On 25/10/2025 at 20:07, Saint Scott said:

Me too. Plus he is one of the few players showing they care at the moment

From his Instagram story this evening:

I wouldn't be surprised if management gave him a bollocking for doing that because that's how fucking clueless they are!

[Osvaldorama]

What a player 

[tdmickey3]

Yep,a diamond in a pile of shit

[saintstowin]

If he's injured we're in big trouble. Really, really hope not. 

Wonderful goal, such a skillful shot. And in general a great turn of pace and lovely close control.

[tdmickey3]

Absolute class

[AlexLaw76]

Amazing player.

[davefizzy14]

Leo is so good 😊 absolute quality

[RedArmy]

Doesn’t even bare thinking about just how much Russell Martin would ruin this gem of a player. 
 

A joy to watch every week. 

[Dark Munster]

1 hour ago, saintstowin said:

If he's injured we're in big trouble. Really, really hope not. 

Wonderful goal, such a skillful shot. And in general a great turn of pace and lovely close control.

He did that bloody knee slide celebration. I don't mind if our crap players do it, but not our good ones who risk injury. Downs can do a 20 yard slide for all I care if he scores.

[Patrick Bateman]

4 minutes ago, Dark Munster said:

He did that bloody knee slide celebration. I don't mind if our crap players do it, but not our good ones who risk injury. Downs can do a 20 yard slide for all I care if he scores.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQHt1gekouf/

[Turkish]

Enjoy him guys he won’t be here next season as we won’t be going up. A premier league team or another top league will snap him up. He’s one of the best in the league 

[trousers]

18 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Enjoy him guys he won’t be here next season as we won’t be going up. A premier league team or another top league will snap him up. He’s one of the best in the league 

Wouldn't surprise me if he goes as early as January. He could be a season-saver for one of the clubs at the bottom of the premier league table and, knowing Sport Republic, they'd happily take £30m despite the impact on our season.

Christ these buffoon owners have turned me into a grumpy old git!

Edited November 6 by trousers

[Turkish]

20 minutes ago, trousers said:

Wouldn't surprise me if he goes as early as January. He could be a season-saver for one of the clubs at the bottom of the premier league table and, knowing Sport Republic, they'd happily take £30m despite the impact on our season.

Christ these buffoon owners have turned me into a grumpy old git!

Buffoon owners? That’s a £22m profit in 6 months pal. Another fantastic piece of player trading! All hail Sports republic 👏👏👏👏💰💰💰💰💰

[Zorba]

He put his money where his mouth was last night. Great to see a player running at the opposition, buying free kicks where nothing else is on, fraustrating his markers to the point they daren’t touch him, and he took his chance phenomenally when it came.

We’ve been crying out for this sort iof quality in a player and I hope he keeps it up and stays a while. He is probably the only player in our squad that could compete in the PL, and this is the level of player we should be aiming for to demolish the Championship next year and give us a decent footing for when we get promoted in 2027.

 

 

[WALK DMC]

3 hours ago, Turkish said:

Enjoy him guys he won’t be here next season as we won’t be going up. A premier league team or another top league will snap him up. He’s one of the best in the league 

I think the thing that will put top clubs buying him is his age. He will be 28 years old next year, so very little resale value, plus you'd have to ask why hasn't he been a target for any other clubs in the past. If he continues to impress, that won't stop somebody coming in with an offer that we can't refuse, but it may deter immediate interest in the short term. 

[Turkish]

1 minute ago, WALK DMC said:

I think the thing that will put top clubs buying him is his age. He will be 28 years old next year, so very little resale value, plus you'd have to ask why hasn't he been a target for any other clubs in the past. If he continues to impress, that won't stop somebody coming in with an offer that we can't refuse, but it may deter immediate interest in the short term. 

This may come as a shock to you but not every club is as obsessed with resale value as we are. They buy players to do a job now 

[Saint NL]

Deserved.

[skintsaint]

3 minutes ago, Saint NL said:

Deserved.

How can it be team of the week when more games coming this weekend? (Assuming they did a team of the week after last weekend)...

[Saint NL]

2 minutes ago, skintsaint said:

How can it be team of the week when more games coming this weekend? (Assuming they did a team of the week after last weekend)...

It's match week, rather than calendar week I guess.

[Baird of the land]

3 hours ago, WALK DMC said:

I think the thing that will put top clubs buying him is his age. He will be 28 years old next year, so very little resale value, plus you'd have to ask why hasn't he been a target for any other clubs in the past. If he continues to impress, that won't stop somebody coming in with an offer that we can't refuse, but it may deter immediate interest in the short term. 

Hopefully his success will convince the club to buy more his age rather than constantly searching for young development projects.

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

Yep. Said it before, he seems to step up at every club so far.

If he continues to have a good season I can easily see a premier league team taking a chance. 

Saints probably sell for £20m.

[Ken Tone]

Any news on his injury? 

[tdmickey3]

2 minutes ago, Ken Tone said:

Any news on his injury? 

I would suggest any bad news on this will be kept very much under wraps to keep the opposition in the dark and temper any further pissing off an already heavily disgruntled fan base

[St Louis]

19 minutes ago, Ken Tone said:

Any news on his injury? 

The presser is 2pm today, so maybe get an update of sorts then.
I guess if he needs to rest for a couple weeks, then Sheff Weds at home followed by an International break is probably 'good' timing.

[CampionSaint]

1 hour ago, St Louis said:

The presser is 2pm today, so maybe get an update of sorts then.
I guess if he needs to rest for a couple weeks, then Sheff Weds at home followed by an International break is probably 'good' timing.

I'm sure the manager was quoted as sayng Scienza should be OK for Saturday.

[Saint86]

Wrong thread!

Edited Friday at 16:05 by Saint86

[Badger]

Credit to Spors and Lederer for scouting and bringing him in. 

We give them flak for some of the crap so only fair to acknowledge their part in signing Scienza ( and Fellows in time) 

[Harry_SFC]

37 minutes ago, Badger said:

Credit to Spors and Lederer for scouting and bringing him in. 

We give them flak for some of the crap so only fair to acknowledge their part in signing Scienza ( and Fellows in time) 

Indeed. Credit where it's due. Although it would be nice to actually see Fellows in his best position on a regular basis. Using him as a wing back is just ridiculous. 

Edited Friday at 21:14 by Harry_SFC

[Colinjb]

1 hour ago, Badger said:

Credit to Spors and Lederer for scouting and bringing him in. 

We give them flak for some of the crap so only fair to acknowledge their part in signing Scienza ( and Fellows in time) 

Would it be right to refer to two times a day and incapable time keeping equipment?

[Tommy Mulgrew]

Another good game from him today but without a goal or an assist.  He is at present by far our best attacker and looks as though he could score, with either foot, from almost anywhere in the final third of the pitch.  He usually looks to go forwards, which makes him almost unique in our team, and does so with real pace.  He is direct and runs at defenders and knows how to support others who have the ball: just watch his positioning in support of AA for the third goal; not many of our players would have moved so intelligently and offered another outlet if Arma had not fancied a shot himself.  I hope he gets through the season uninjured - his legs and ankles take a battering every game.  His corners are pretty good.  And I like his can-do attitude.

Two things he could do better imo: not go down almost every time someone makes contact (he’ll get a reputation for diving) and insisting that he should take some (if not all) of our scoreable free kicks instead of Manning.

I hope we can keep him beyond the end of this season.

[SaintBobby]

Excellent player. Even more exciting to watch. Easily our best player at the moment.

This might be that he’s our only player determined to get forward fast at every chance though!

[Sunnyside Saint]

I'm excited when he gets the ball. It's been an absolute age since that's happened. What a gem!

[gammon cheeks]

Absolutely class player 👏

Nothing more to add.

[BARCELONASAINT]

On 01/09/2025 at 17:36, BARCELONASAINT said:

My son wrote this article on Leo Scienza last year which i thought some of you might find interesting with a deal now looking imminent.

 

You’ve probably never heard of Leo Scienza, but he turns 26 this September and his story continues with a dreamlike trajectory for those who aren’t interested in giving up on that childhood ambition of becoming a professional footballer and reaching the top.

Five years ago, he arrived to Swedish fourth division side Fanna BK from Brazilian youth football. After 18 months in Sweden and a reported 12 goals in 22 games, the winger was signed by FC Schalke 04’s reserve team, which operates as an U23 team in the German lower leagues.

Two seasons in Germany’s regionalised fourth tier reaped 15 goals and 17 assists in 59 appearances. Despite a mid-season friendly appearance for the first team at the start of 2022, six months later, with his 24th birthday approaching, Scienza had to move on.
It seemed that he was getting his big break into first team football at a fulltime professional level with a jump to second tier FC Madeburg, but he managed just 222 minutes over 11 appearances. Instead, he played most of his football at a much lower level than he had done so with Schalke: Madeburg’s second team in the German sixth tier. He was unapologetically rampant, scoring 13 and assisting 7 in just 10 games. With 822 minutes played, he was averaging a goal involvement every 41.1 minutes. It wasn’t enough for a second season with Madeburg, though. He was on the move again.

Last season, he had consistent minutes at his highest level yet: 34 games in Germany’s third tier with newly-promoted SSV Ulm. The coach’s faith was repaid with 12 goals and 15 assists as Ulm secured consecutive promotions.

Scienza wouldn’t be around for the next chapter of Ulm’s fairytale, though. He was fulfilling his own. At 25 years old, barely a year after rampaging through the German sixth tier, he became a $600k signing for Bundesliga’s Heidenheim.

He’d finally made it to a European first division and his first 3 games have brought a goal in continental football, scoring in a 2-1 away win in the UEFA Conference League, an assist in the German Cup, and a 2-0 away win in his Bundesliga debut.

It really is never too late - or as many hopeful players say, 'God's Timing is Perfect'.

 

leonardolenz

 51 w

Pra cima Leo @leo_scienza

I thought i would re-post this as Leo really has backed up all the promise this article alluded to. What a joy it has been so far to see such a talented player playing for us for however long it is we are able to keep him!