So, Virgil Van Dijk looks to have decided on a move to Manchester City. Makes my overtures yesterday look pretty silly.
Anyway, let’s take a more in-depth look at a player who has not yet signed for Manchester City this Summer!
Tiemoue Bakayoko
Strengths
Strength – The lad is a beast, watching him plough through some of the best midfielders in Europe this season was a sight to see. Manchester City, Tottenham and Dortmund were all left in his wake as he stormed through all, breaking up play, driving Monaco forward, shrugging off all that came near. This is an asset that would fit the Premier League like a glove.
Tackling – A short look on the web outlines TB’s skill at winning the ball, using his strength to win it, shield it and lay it forward to his more creative team-mates.
Dribbling – Bit of a weird one for a defensive midfielder but having watched a fair bit of Monaco this season, one thing that has struck me is TB’s skill to drive forward with the ball at his feet, comfortably! Having someone able to win the ball with his tackling ability and strength and then use his dribbling ability to get the team forward quickly would be a huge asset to Chelsea’s attempt to both retain the Premier League and be more than competitive in the Champions League.
Weaknesses
Lack of Experience – This can be said for a lot of Monaco’s young starlets I guess, and a lot of questions will be answered over the coming season with Monaco looking like they’ll be pillaged over the next couple of months. Bakayoko broke into the team in 15/16 but was severely hampered by injuries and only managed half the season. This was his breakout season. A force in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League, his playing style won’t change and as long as he is used correctly, there’s no reason why he can’t join the Harry Kane and N’Golo Kante club of “One season wonders who were actually great players!”
Discipline – Like all young players desperate to impress, Bakayoko can sometimes fall into the trap of being over eager to win the ball back, somtimes giving away silly fouls. This is a common issue with high pressing teams, lots of fouls committed in their desperate attempt to win the ball back and get forward. With a level-headed (honest!) manager to guide him through, and also someone who has played in his position before, it will hopefully help him cut out the silly fouls and become a more controlled player.
Conclusion
We need a central midfielder, one that would link nicely with Kante and improve our team. Bakayoko is that man. Strong, quick, good in both the tackle and the pass, he would be a fantastic addition to the squad. One sorely needed.
Never mind the Nike kit deal, let’s get moving, shall we?