Lille fans have been seeing a lot of this celebration recently. 16 times since the start of the season.
Sometimes when looking for a player that I believe I be one of the next big things, I will head over to Squawker football player matrix, because I love me some stats. Something that I do while I'm there is see if I can see anything that stands-out from the rest. Unfortunately I can't watch every football match that happens across Europe as much as I will try. Today we look toward a young Ivorian who has really caught my eye. When your name is taking its place between the likes of Mbappe and Sancho in the stats then you know something is going right.
Nicolas Pépé is the player on my mind tonight and there is a few reasons why. When you go to look at the top goal scorers aged under 24 years old across Europe Piatek and Jovic (Find the links for my pieces about both of the behind their names) tie in 3rd with 14 goals then in second is Pepe with 16 goals only 2 goals behind Mbappe. Yet when you look to assists you see that he trumps all 3 of others and instead tops the 24 and under group on 8 assists level with the like of Sane and Sancho. And when it comes to his Squawka attacking score (The points which are dictated from data provided from Opta - full info find here) is more than 200 points above everyone in that age group in the whole of Europe meaning that he is having a more positive influence on games than anyone in under 24.
So why isn't this lad getting noticed? Well the fact is I don't know. He currently plays for Lille who he has helped guide to 2nd in the league! He is also actually 2nd top goalscorer in the whole of France sandwiched between the likes of PSG’s front 3 Mbappe, Cavani and Neymar at the top of the scoring charts.
To fill myself in with the best of this versatile right winger, I watched nearly an hours worth of his highlights over the last two seasons and some things are very obvious. The 23 year old is very quick almost unbelievably quick, his turn of pace is truly incredible hence why his take on success is one of the best in Europe better than the likes of Sancho and Salah. He also has an incredible first touch and ball control. As a point of reference he reminds me a lot of peak Zaha with the incredibly fast dribbling and willingness to push past defenders.
Have no doubt if he plans on hanging around the players and on top of the tables that he currently is we could see a new African star as soon as the coming transfer window.
Thanks for reading!
Follow me on Twitter: @Cam_Deacon21
Nicolas Pépé is the player on my mind tonight and there is a few reasons why. When you go to look at the top goal scorers aged under 24 years old across Europe Piatek and Jovic (Find the links for my pieces about both of the behind their names) tie in 3rd with 14 goals then in second is Pepe with 16 goals only 2 goals behind Mbappe. Yet when you look to assists you see that he trumps all 3 of others and instead tops the 24 and under group on 8 assists level with the like of Sane and Sancho. And when it comes to his Squawka attacking score (The points which are dictated from data provided from Opta - full info find here) is more than 200 points above everyone in that age group in the whole of Europe meaning that he is having a more positive influence on games than anyone in under 24.
So why isn't this lad getting noticed? Well the fact is I don't know. He currently plays for Lille who he has helped guide to 2nd in the league! He is also actually 2nd top goalscorer in the whole of France sandwiched between the likes of PSG’s front 3 Mbappe, Cavani and Neymar at the top of the scoring charts.
To fill myself in with the best of this versatile right winger, I watched nearly an hours worth of his highlights over the last two seasons and some things are very obvious. The 23 year old is very quick almost unbelievably quick, his turn of pace is truly incredible hence why his take on success is one of the best in Europe better than the likes of Sancho and Salah. He also has an incredible first touch and ball control. As a point of reference he reminds me a lot of peak Zaha with the incredibly fast dribbling and willingness to push past defenders.
Have no doubt if he plans on hanging around the players and on top of the tables that he currently is we could see a new African star as soon as the coming transfer window.
Thanks for reading!
Follow me on Twitter: @Cam_Deacon21
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