Simon Adingra: Scouting Report by Nene Afadzinu

Simon Adingra: Scouting Report by Nene Afadzinu

AGE: 21

HEIGHT: 5’8”

WEIGHT: 65 KG

FOOT: RIGHT

CLUB: ROYAL UNION SAINT-GILLOISE

NATIONALITY: IVORIAN

Rapid striker who often plays on the right side of a pairing. Predominantly right footed and but is comfortable with his left foot. Below average height for his position. Slim and mobile. Great pace and is rapid off the mark.

Has very good ball control and an excellent first touch. Balance and agility help him wriggle out of tight spaces with relative ease. Good dribbler and likes to take on his man with pace and skill. Great short passer and shows the vision and awareness to regularly bring teammates into play. Composed in front of goal and uses his dribbling to create separation for the shot. Capable of shooting with both feet, although he does not generate as much power with his weaker foot. Shots are often saved by the keeper as they are relatively central. Decent crosser from either flank, putting the ball into dangerous areas.

Often plays as the second striker with a target man in a 352. Has excellent movement and likes making runs off the shoulder of the last man to try to beat the offside trap with his acceleration.  Roams all over the final third to find and exploit space, regularly drifting wide or coming back and picking up the ball in pockets behind the striker. Is excellent at this and receives the ball often in these areas as a result. Progresses the ball with his passing and dribbling when he picks it up from deep. Likes a give-and-go move, drawing the defender in before playing a quick pass and accelerating into the space left behind.

Does not contest a lot of duels. Rather weak in the few physical duels he does contest and is often shrugged off the ball easily. Nonfactor aerially, with his diminutive frame and poor leap meaning he wins very few headers and they are often inaccurate. Doesn’t track back often. Minimal defensive effort and is lackadaisical in the tackle. Seems to conserve his energy when defending to expend it in attack. Could be an effective presser with his pace and anticipation if he puts the work in.

Great anticipation and reaction speed to read the play, resulting in him making interceptions and often get to loose balls first. Very vocal and often communicates to teammates, showing them where he wants to receive possession and how. Occasionally loses concentration. Generally makes the right decisions in the final third but can pick the wrong dribble or play rash passes, especially when he drops deeper.

PLAYER MATRIX 

TECHNICAL ABILITY	(0-10)
Ball Control	8
Attacking Ability	8
Defending Ability	2
Heading	3
Long Passing	6
Short Passing	9
Right-Footed Passing	10
Left-Footed Passing	8
Finishing	7
Right-Footed Shooting	7
Left-Footed Shooting	6
Running With The Ball	9
Attacking 1v1	9
Crossing	7
TOTAL	99/140

CHARACTER	(0-10)
Effort To Win The Ball Back	4
Bravery – Physical	5
Bravery – Mental	7
Energetic	8
Leadership	5
Talkative	10
Competitive	7
Team Player	5
TOTAL	51/80

ABILITY = 221/310

= 71%

70 – 79% = Squad player in a top league

Adingra has the potential to be a good squad player for Brighton or to star in a decent league such as the Jupiler Pro League, Eredivisie, or Primeira Liga. To exceed his current trajected potential and become a world class player capable of starting for an elite team, he desperately has to improve on his physicality and defensive work rate.