Presenting Johan Bakayoko: The PSV wing-wizard ready for the big leagues
PSV Eindhoven are having a remarkable campaign, with a 100% win record in the league and progression from a tricky Champions League group.
The Dutch giants seem to have a knack for producing exciting attacking talent having developed Cody Gakpo and Noni Madueke, and then sold them for big money in recent years.
The void left by those players has been filled by 20-year-old Johan Bakayoko. The Belgian has cemented his place on the right wing, and is the fourth highest rated player in the Eredivisie with a WhoScored rating of 7.81.
With four goals and 13 assists, Bakayoko is only behind Jude Bellingham and Florian Wirtz in the list of under 21 players with the most goals and assists in all competitions this season.
His excellent club form has also coincided with him winning all of his eight caps for the Belgian national team in the past nine months.
Johan Bakayoko’s Transfer Value - how much is he worth?
According to FootballTransfer’s Player Valuation Model, Bakayoko has a current Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €28.4m. His value has risen rapidly from just €3.9m at the start of the year, highlighting his growing prominence for both club and country.
The 5'10" winger had offers from Premier League clubs in the summer, but decided to continue his development in the Netherlands. That has proven to be a great decision, as Bakayoko seems to have levelled up and also gained crucial Champions League exposure.
With a whole host of clubs, including Liverpool, reported to be interested, a transfer in the summer seems imminent. Given his high ceiling, PSV will look to get a sizable sum for their prized asset.
Johan Bakayoko’s strengths and weaknesses - what does the data say?
Bakayoko has become a key player for manager Peter Bosz’s impressive PSV side. His performances alongside the likes of Joey Veerman and Luuk de Jong have helped the club to a 10-point lead at the top of the Eredivisie.
The left-footed attacker typically behaves like an inside forward, where he creates chances from the flank, but often cuts inside on his stronger left foot. He comes to life in the final third and his 42.8 touches per 90 in that zone put him among the top 1% of wingers in the league.
His ball carrying and dribbling are stand-out attributes, and his ability to go both ways in one-on-one situations, with quick changes of direction makes him very hard to defend against.
The Belgian international prefers to receive the ball to feet, but he can add a different dimension to his game by using his speed to make runs in behind the defence.
The data backs this up, as Bakayoko ranks first for progressive carries, and second for successful take-ons, carries into the penalty area and into the final third in the Dutch top flight.
The big occasions also don’t seem to get the better of him, and he is producing similar dribbling numbers in the Champions League.
Unlike most wingers, Bakayoko is able to provide a high quality end product in such situations. His eight league assists are a consequence of making the second most key passes in the league, which comes out to an impressive 3.29 on a per 90 minute basis.
In front of goal, Bakayoko takes a solid 3.52 shots per 90, but only gets 26% of those on target. His goals to shot ratio of 0.07 means that he takes 15 shots for every goal he scores, so his finishing and decision-making needs some work.
While not the finished product yet, his age gives him ample time to become a reliable goal threat from wide areas - something that will truly propel him to new heights.
Elite ball carriers are in-demand at the moment, with Bakayoko’s compatriot Jeremy Doku making a big impact in the Premier League following his switch to Manchester City.
Bakayoko’s physical strength, speed and technique also makes him a prime candidate to make the jump to the big leagues, and Premier League defenders should be worried if he does make the move.
This article was provided by FootballTransfers
