Player Focus: Baba's Refreshing Displays Unlikely to Go Unnoticed for Too Long

As we enter another international break it's always an opportune moment to reflect upon WhoScored.com's top rated players thus far. Among those to have made the top 10 in the Bundesliga include the likes of Arjen Robben, Kevin De Bruyne, Xabi Alonso and Thomas Müller.

Joining such aforementioned big names is an unfamiliar - to some at least - but memorable one. Augsburg summer signing Abdul Rahman Baba, simply known as Baba Rahman in his native Ghana, ranks seventh in Germany's top-flight courtesy of a hugely impressive rating of 7.70.

It's been a dream start to the season - becoming a fully-capped international at the age of 20 - for a player whose career started at Dreamz FC, plying his trade as a teenager in Ghana's Division Two as little as three years ago. Baba would later impress in his homeland for Asante Kotoko to such a degree that suitors from all over Europe were linked with an interest. The teen, however, would opt for then-newly-promoted Bundesliga outfit Furth, citing the chance to develop his game through regular action in Europe as a reason for choosing the Bavarians.

It's fair to say the start of his tenure at the club during the 2012/13 season wasn't quite so bright. His debut, in fact, ended in a late red card in a 2-0 DFB-Pokal defeat against third-tier Kickers Offenbach - who would go on to be relegated to the fourth that season - having come on to replace starting left-back Edgar Prib, sent off earlier in the second half.

The full-back would then start just three league matches before the Bundesliga's winter break. However, he clearly impressed during the hiatus as, once the league reconvened in January, Baba would play not only every game, but every minute of the remainder of the campaign. Despite a number of encouraging performances, with only two teammates bettering his rating of 6.88 from WhoScored, the Ghanaian was powerless to prevent Furth from being relegated with a woeful 21-point tally.

Interest was again thought to be widespread but Baba stayed in Furth, expressing a desire to remain in Germany, hoping to return to the Bundesliga at the first time of asking. While his side missed out on automatic promotion on the final day of the season to top-flight newcomers Paderborn, the left-back would get his wish with a move to Augsburg just a day after opening his account for his former club, netting twice in a derby victory over Nurnberg in August.

The 20-year-old would debut for his new club on the opening day of the Bundesliga season, but would offer the greatest reminder of his abilities to those that remembered his first stint in the league a week later. With Borussia Dortmund the visitors at the SGL Arena, Baba registered assists for both of Augsburg's goals in a narrow 3-2 defeat to Jurgen Klopp's side, a result that seemed highly commendable at the time ahead of Dortmund's domestic plight.

Indeed it's the offensive aspect of the youngster's game that receives the most plaudits. He doesn't need a second invitation to bomb down the left-flank, hugging the touchline and using his agility and acceleration to burst clear of defenders before delivering a ball into the box; again more than willing to do so with real regularity.

Only Roy Beerens has attempted more crosses when excluding corners in the Bundesliga this season (46), while only Süleyman Koc has found a teammate with more of said attempts than Baba's 10. In turn only Kevin De Bruyne - one of the six players to rank above the Ghanaian in WhoScored's Bundesliga ratings - has picked up more assists from open play in Germany's top-flight (3).

Baba, however, is excelling when it comes to both interceptions, with 2.9 per game, and tackles, with a massive average of 4.8 enough to lead the way in the Bundesliga. It's little surprise, then, that he's picked up strengths according to WhoScored's characteristics in both regards. Understandably, though, the youngster is not without fault.

Any weaknesses that he has at this early stage are perhaps borne out of what many would consider a strength. He’s a little cavalier at times, undeniably helping his side to be more progressive in their play, and Baba can get caught out of position upfield. His forward-thinking approach isn't restricted to his movement with and without the ball though. In possession the left-back will often look for an incisive pass up the line rather than a simple one infield.

This more risqué attitude to passing has led to a meagre accuracy of 64.3% but while this undoubtedly needs work, it remains refreshing to see a young player wanting to be proactive in possession rather than looking for the easy way out. For Baba to progress to the next level it's simply a case of picking and choosing his moments to play vertically, be it with or without the ball, with more care.

Nevertheless, the consistency with which Baba is performing at present is quite remarkable. His aforementioned rating of 7.70 is the best of all players under the age of 21 in Europe's top 5 leagues and comes having not achieved a single rating below 7.00 in his 11 league appearances this season. Of all players to make at least 5 league appearances this season only 4 can match that feat, though none of Ronaldo, Robben, Tevez and Xhaka have featured in as many matches as the youngster.

Baba's current displays certainly rank amongst some illustrious company this season. Unfortunately for Augsburg the longer that continues the more likely it is that the defender could be lining up alongside some big names in European football before too long.

How impressed have you been with Abdul Rahman Baba's performances this season? Let us know in the comments below