Matai Akinmboni — Bournemouth’s New Man by Jake McGhee
Introduction
In recent years European football has seen a wave of talent come from Stateside, with top clubs beginning to branch their scouting into a rapidly developing hotbed of talent in the United States of America. This influx has seen players from all levels of American football come across to some of Europe’s best leagues from the Bundesliga to Ligue 1, the Premier League is no different with more and more teams integrating US talent into their setups. The most recent of this trend comes in the form of Matai Akinmboni’s recent move to Bournemouth, an 18 year old centre back standing at 6”3 Matai joins a plethora of young defenders pulling on the black and red.
A testament to Bournemouth’s recruitment strategy and subsequent success Matai looks to be another gem the Cherries have unearthed from relatively untapped markets.
Play-style
Bournemouth’s scouting approach leans into the club’s style of play heavily especially in a defensive sense as seen in recent acquisitions of Zabarnyi and Huijsen, they want players who are comfortable on the ball and can embody the high intensity ethos and playstyle that Andoni Iraola employs.
A left sided and footed centre back who prospers in a back 4 Matai is a perfect fit for Bournemouth, comfortable on the ball and in stepping up and progressing play his composure and ability to pick out a pass will benefit in the way Bournemouth like to play, a team who build from the back and like to utilise their wide-men forming a good partnership with Milos Kerkez will be key to Matai’s success.
In possession his range of passing is a strong facet to his game, he is comfortable playing threaded balls down the line to his fullback or stepping up and inviting pressure to open up new areas out wide or centrally vacated by a press. Playing the ball into more central areas is another aspect which Matai is comfortable with, this wide range of passing and the ability to know when to play it safe to his opposite CB or even back to his goalkeeper make him a calm and reliable defender all whilst having the ability to surgically play an incisive pass forward and spark a break. Whilst his short to medium range passing is strong there is still improvement needed for long balls, especially diagonal balls across the pitch.
In turnover situations especially in his own box he often looks to play forward much to the delight of Iraola who champions these quick breaks and lightning fast counter attacks where Matai may be responsible for picking out a runner and getting the team up the pitch. Defensively speaking his patience and ability to show a player onto their weak foot has brought him lots of joy at previous club DC United, the intelligence and stalwart-like defending saw him make 18 appearances in all competitions across the 23/24 season including a loan spell at Loudoun United.
Comfortable with defending in ball on the ground situations he is equally if not more adept when it comes to aerial duels, his 6”3 frame allows him to be a reliable sweeper when balls are floated in from wide or from deep. This imposing physicality along with his impressive strength allow for Matai to flourish in 1-v-1 situations and aerial duels, in situations where he is not successful and gets beaten his pace and acceleration especially across short distances allow for him to slot back into position and go again.
Off the ball Akinmboni’s position and understanding of the game are very impressive, as aforementioned the knack to show his man onto their weaker foot and push them out wide almost suffocating any space on the pitch allow for quick turnovers and the opportunity for his team to regroup especially when hit on the break, this tracking of runs and closing down of space make him a nightmare in isolated duels.
Due to his age there are of course still occasional lapses of judgment in his game which will improve with continued experience and really moulding with Andoni Iraola’s style of play, the quality of those around him will alleviate any mistakes he may make additionally really making Bournemouth a great choice for his continued development and his dream break into the 1st team.
How will he fit at Bournemouth?
Bournemouth will be delighted at another dimension being added to their back line and really bolstering their defensive options, with minutes being given to young players all across the team Matai will be excited at the prospect of Premier League football and representing one of the most exciting sides to watch at the minute. Coupled with Iraola’s trust and faith in the youth there’s no reason why Matai couldn’t go onto challenge Dean Huijsen and Zabarnyi for first team minutes, additionally with these players as teammates he will learn invaluable things from training and playing alongside some of the most promising centre backs in Europe at the moment.
Conclusion
On paper it really seems like the perfect move for Matai Akinmboni, throwing himself in at the deep end in one of the highest quality leagues in the world and looking to challenge for a first team spot is really a good summary of the type of player he is; fearless and courageous.
With continued adaption to the trials and tribulations of top-flight football this raw potential will be ironed out into an adept young centre back who will help build a solid foundation for the Cherries seemingly perennial improvement all while contributing to their evolving attacking philosophy and bring more success to the South Coast.