Christ Batola — The versatile center forward providing a spark for France U17 by Jaden Dakwa
A center forward can alter pivotal moments during matches. Dropping deep into pockets for a piece of intricate link up play, a booming header from excellent service into the box, or a shot from a tight angle could be the decisive margins between winning and losing.
These actions create intrigue and can shape a team’s style of play. The U17 European Championships have provided the perfect stage for the French youth national team to shine.
Christ Batola is at the nucleus of France’s U17 national team as an impactful center forward.
Finishing is the essential attribute for a forward. Batola is not solely a goalscoring poacher.
Batola’s abilities encapsulate broader themes within the team. The 15-year-old possesses technical ability, nuanced movement in the final third, and imposing strength.
A profound goalscoring record indicates quality ball striking and confidence in front of goal. Batola has scored 12 goals in 11 matches for the U16 national team. He is an excellent finisher and dispatches his chances well.
Batola notched a scintillating hat-trick in April for France’s U16 national team against Cameroon U16’s.
A call-up to the U17 national team for the European Championships comes off the back of impressive form for club and country at the youth level.
Batola’s header in France’s opening fixture of Group A against Germany U17’s in the 78th minute helped France secure a 3-0 victory.
His 30 minute cameo in the match was bigger than just a goal scored. Footballers can affect matches without scoring. He attempted runs in behind and threatened the defense with his towering presence. Batola’s positioning gives the team a target to aim for. He can occupy the space in between two center backs, pin defenders using his strength, and drop off into space to link up with teammates or receive the ball.
Bringing Batola off the bench is a viable option to threaten potentially sluggish opposition defenders.
Wide playmakers IIyas Azizi and Rèmi Himbert can use Batola as a target to play into to create danger in the final third. Rudy Matondo occupies space behind the striker as an attacking midfielder. Matondo is a willing and powerful runner. There is cohesion laced within intricate passing combinations and deliveries from wide areas. Batola’s height and presence ensure he is an ideal target for crosses. Set-pieces and cutbacks into the box are favorable for Batola. His deceptive movements in the box help to free up an extra yard of space.
There are plenty of threats from wide areas in the French U17 national team. Fullbacks Lucas Batbedat and David Boly are adept at getting forward and being used as an attacking outlet.
Batbedat is an excellent crosser of the ball and his deliveries from wide areas are an important element of the team.
An intelligent run can create space for a player out of possession. A goalscoring opportunity can arise from sharp movement. Mastering dynamic movement in the final third is a key component for center forwards, wingers, attacking midfielders, and strikers.
Football is manipulated through time and space. Chemistry with his teammates helps create opportunities for early crosses, third man runs, counter attacks, and passing combinations.
Positive solutions in tight areas and expansive space create formidable attacking threats. Playing balls in the air and on the ground into Batola helps to create multi-dimensional options in the attacking third.
Goals can be created through different avenues and forwards that pull opposition defenses apart can cause chaos.
The most ideal scenario for Batola is when he drops deep to receive the ball and runs at defenders. He is able to force defenders to step out or play passes into his wingers. Also, Batola is able to pin defenders and use his strength in scenarios where his back is to goal.
Ball control is important for a striker his size. He uses positive first touches to create an extra yard of space for himself to score. The best strikers score through creating half-yard of space to shoot or from tight angles. Batola is particularly adept at controlling the ball with his chest. This serves as an additional bonus for having a target to aim at when playing a pass in the air.
An area where Batola can improve is his dribbling in one-on-one scenarios and in tight spaces. He is not typified as a flair dribbler, but he is capable of taking on defenders. Batola excels in short passing and through balls into his teammates. France are capable of molding all-around playmaking number 9’s. Karim Benzema was renowned for his ability at club and country for his ability to skip past defenders and create opportunities for himself or others.
Progressing into an all-around center forward will be the aim for Batola. As he progresses through the youth ranks, perfecting his technique is vital. Shooting, dribbling, and decision making in the final third are paramount elements for Batola’s development.
Goalscoring is a skill achieved through different methods. A lack of goals should not define your productivity as a forward. Batola must continuously impact matches that he doesn’t score in.
Great forwards can impact matches on a wholescale level.
Batola’s trajectory will be determined through his ability to continuously affect matches at higher levels of play. Defenders will be stronger, faster, and more technically skilled.
A player’s development is enhanced through their determination and not form.