Amad Diallo: Scouting Report by Nene Afadzinu
AGE: 20
HEIGHT: 5’7”
WEIGHT: 72 KG
FOOT: LEFT
CLUB: MANCHESTER UNITED FC
NATIONALITY: IVORIAN
Technical right winger who can easily play as an attacking midfielder. Predominantly left footed but with a very capable right foot. Below average height for his position. Diminutive frame belies very good strength which he generates from his low centre of gravity. Bags of acceleration and able to make up good distances in short times.
Magnetic ball control and can pluck a long ball from the air, stopping it dead with his first touch. Is an excellent dribbler and likes to take on his man and beat him with skill and pace. A combination of great close control, balance, and agility help him wriggle out of tight spots with possession. Can carry the ball good distances up the pitch. Does not hog the ball and will find an open teammate. Likes to keep possession with short passes and is heavily involved in his team’s buildup play. Excellent short passer with either foot. Shows he has the vision and technique to see and execute a wide variety of passes. Not afraid to let fly from distance and will pull the trigger if given the time and space. Can be deadly when allowed to shoot from range, showing great technique to generate power behind his strikes. Dangerous from direct free kicks. Will shoot with either foot in the box depending on the angle. Tends to snatch at opportunities from close range and can miss sitters. Crosses are generally put into a good area but rarely find their man. Not often dispossessed.
Has played as a right winger in a 4231 and a 433, and as an attacking midfielder in a 4231. Drifts into central zones from the right wing when playing as a right winger. Drifts to the right wing when playing as an attacking midfielder. Drops deep to receive possession and then progress the ball with his carrying and passing. Is more of a playmaker than a finisher, but is more than capable of trying to beat the offside trap by using his pace and acceleration to run off the shoulder of the last man and get in behind the defense. Shows a great appreciation of space and picks up pockets wherever he feels would be beneficial to the move, making him difficult to track.
Not afraid to get stuck in. Is relatively decent in the timing of his tackle for an attacking player. Excellent anticipation and reading of the game results in him making multiple interceptions. Works very hard defensively and tracks back often to help his team regain possession. Presses with alacrity and is always eager to win the ball back for his side especially after losing it. Forces several turnovers with his energetic press. Does not win a lot of aerial duels but will contest the few that come his way. Is a lot stronger than he looks and very difficult to shrug off the ball.
Exudes an air of calm on the ball. Constantly scanning his surroundings to be aware of where his teammates and opponents are. Is very vocal. Shows impressive leadership qualities to direct his teammates on and off the ball despite being a youngster on loan. Rarely makes the wrong decision in possession.
PLAYER MATRIX
| TECHNICAL ABILITY | (0-10) |
| Ball Control | 10 |
| Attacking Ability | 9 |
| Defending Ability | 8 |
| Heading | 3 |
| Long Passing | 9 |
| Short Passing | 10 |
| Right-Footed Passing | 9 |
| Left-Footed Passing | 10 |
| Finishing | 6 |
| Right-Footed Shooting | 6 |
| Left-Footed Shooting | 10 |
| Running With The Ball | 10 |
| Attacking 1v1 | 10 |
| Crossing | 6 |
| TOTAL | 116/140 (+7) |
| TACTICAL ABILITY | (0-10) |
| Vision | 10 |
| Awareness | 10 |
| Movement Off The Ball | 8 |
| Decision Making | 9 |
| TOTAL | 37/40 (+2) |
| ATHLETIC ABILITY | (0-10) |
| Pace | 10 |
| Sharpness | 10 |
| Mobility | 10 |
| Body Strength | 7 |
| Work Rate | 10 |
| TOTAL | 48/50 (+2.5) |
| CHARACTER | (0-10) |
| Effort To Win The Ball Back | 10 |
| Bravery – Physical | 9 |
| Bravery – Mental | 10 |
| Energetic | 10 |
| Leadership | 9 |
| Talkative | 9 |
| Competitive | 10 |
| Team Player | 10 |
| TOTAL | 77/80 (+4) |
ABILITY = 277/310
= 89%
(plus zero point five for every feature because he is considerably younger than most opponents in the videos)
REAL ABILITY = 292.5/310
= 94%
90 – 100% = Star player in a top league
Amad Diallo is a generational talent with the ability to become one of the very best in the world if he continues to approach the game with his invincible mindset. He still has some work to do on his finishing, crossing, and aerial ability, but the right development plan would see him progress into becoming one of Africa’s greatest ever talents and a Ballon D’Or candidate.