Read on Twitter
Boubacar Kamara: A scouting report by @JdIllusionista
This report isn't a professional report, but one of my first, and an attempt to check for a player without knowing him before, looking at his games and attempt to leave my beginnings of my first report.
This report isn't a professional report, but one of my first, and an attempt to check for a player without knowing him before, looking at his games and attempt to leave my beginnings of my first report.
I. Who is Boubacar Kamara?
Boubacar Bernard Kamara is a French player who plays for Marseille. He's 21, 1m84 and is both from French & Senegalese origin. He has featured in 20 games already, playing in 15 games in Ligue 1 & 5 in the Champions League as well.
Boubacar Bernard Kamara is a French player who plays for Marseille. He's 21, 1m84 and is both from French & Senegalese origin. He has featured in 20 games already, playing in 15 games in Ligue 1 & 5 in the Champions League as well.
II. Boubacar's rise
Kamara came directly through Marseille's academy. At only five years old, he joined Marseille. Since then, he has managed to pass succesfully any barrier, and is now an important player for Marseille. He has a contract until 2022.
Kamara came directly through Marseille's academy. At only five years old, he joined Marseille. Since then, he has managed to pass succesfully any barrier, and is now an important player for Marseille. He has a contract until 2022.
III. Interest from big clubs
Kamara's rise didn't go unnoticed. A few weeks ago, Boubacar admitted that there were talks indeed. Marseille, in a financial crisis, set the price for the young star: 60M, no less. https://twitter.com/BarcaOnFS/status/1340696106473123842?s=20
Kamara's rise didn't go unnoticed. A few weeks ago, Boubacar admitted that there were talks indeed. Marseille, in a financial crisis, set the price for the young star: 60M, no less. https://twitter.com/BarcaOnFS/status/1340696106473123842?s=20
III (1): More clubs interested
Beside Barcelona reportedly interested in Kamara, another club was lurking around the French star: This was none other than Arsenal. It was clear: The 21 year old was special: But why were clubs interested in signing him? https://twitter.com/TransferChecker/status/1215768512045768704?s=20
Beside Barcelona reportedly interested in Kamara, another club was lurking around the French star: This was none other than Arsenal. It was clear: The 21 year old was special: But why were clubs interested in signing him? https://twitter.com/TransferChecker/status/1215768512045768704?s=20
IV: Strengths
-Tackling & last man to stand
-Press resistance
-Wide 1v1 defending
-Tackling & last man to stand
-Press resistance
-Wide 1v1 defending
IV bis: Strengths
Boubacar is clearly talented, and that is by his pressing. With a tall body, he likes to ball progression by keeping a side perspective. With his ability to defend one on one & tackle, Boubacar clearly is suited to to stop any adversary progression.
Boubacar is clearly talented, and that is by his pressing. With a tall body, he likes to ball progression by keeping a side perspective. With his ability to defend one on one & tackle, Boubacar clearly is suited to to stop any adversary progression.
IV (I): A build tank.
Using his body, Kamara is your last man. He's not afraid to use his aerial dominance to win duels, but to also intercept balls with his long legs. His scanning - which still needs to improve, help his decision making, whether he should risk the challenge.
Using his body, Kamara is your last man. He's not afraid to use his aerial dominance to win duels, but to also intercept balls with his long legs. His scanning - which still needs to improve, help his decision making, whether he should risk the challenge.
V: Weaknesses
-Lack of dominance against quicker opponents
- Space awareness
-Lack of dominance against quicker opponents
- Space awareness
V bis: Space
If I've mentioned earlier that he likes to scan space, Kamara still has to learn how to deal in a high line where he still struggles. When Kamara has to patrol a lot of space, his decision making lacks the speed and the notion to react accordingly.
If I've mentioned earlier that he likes to scan space, Kamara still has to learn how to deal in a high line where he still struggles. When Kamara has to patrol a lot of space, his decision making lacks the speed and the notion to react accordingly.
VI: Metrics
Boubacar's metrics justify the claims: He has tackled 42% of the dribblers he has faced. He also claims for himself around 31% succesful pressures, making him an excellent presser. He also claims 0.12 interceptions per match.
Boubacar's metrics justify the claims: He has tackled 42% of the dribblers he has faced. He also claims for himself around 31% succesful pressures, making him an excellent presser. He also claims 0.12 interceptions per match.
VII: In possession
Kamara, at best, is to be seen in possession. Having played more often as a CDM rather than CB, his spatial awareness benefits him much more in possession. On the ball, he is able to locate his teammates & can therefore decide where to pass & when with ease.
Kamara, at best, is to be seen in possession. Having played more often as a CDM rather than CB, his spatial awareness benefits him much more in possession. On the ball, he is able to locate his teammates & can therefore decide where to pass & when with ease.
VII bis: Possession Metrics
66% of Kamara's passes are progressive. He prefers largely to contribute to the team's build-up, and likes to have assurance of his teammates, whether an interior or another centre-back. 71% of his long passes have been succesful as well.
66% of Kamara's passes are progressive. He prefers largely to contribute to the team's build-up, and likes to have assurance of his teammates, whether an interior or another centre-back. 71% of his long passes have been succesful as well.
VIII: Versatility
If this year Boubacar has only played as DM in the Ligue 1, he is versatile. He played, in his first seasons (2017) as CB as well. Whether he'll continue being a DM or a CB remaisn unclear, but it's sure that Kamara has done really well in both.
If this year Boubacar has only played as DM in the Ligue 1, he is versatile. He played, in his first seasons (2017) as CB as well. Whether he'll continue being a DM or a CB remaisn unclear, but it's sure that Kamara has done really well in both.
VIII bis: Versatility
He's useful to any manager. Boubacar can change in any game from the two positions, bringing solidity at the back and interesting tactically. He has become a key piece in Boas' system, as he has almost always played 90' in every match.
He's useful to any manager. Boubacar can change in any game from the two positions, bringing solidity at the back and interesting tactically. He has become a key piece in Boas' system, as he has almost always played 90' in every match.
Video: His last minute tackles highlighted
I found this video on facebook, so for those who wanted to see in-video proof, that is one that shows his highlights perfectly. https://fb.watch/2C0CU3wvs-/
I found this video on facebook, so for those who wanted to see in-video proof, that is one that shows his highlights perfectly. https://fb.watch/2C0CU3wvs-/
IX: Conclusion
To me, he should stay at Marseille or go in loan to a youth-developer club (Especially in the Bundesliga) to develop. He's great, but can sometimes be regular. His spatial awareness off the ball must improve. Andre Villa Boas has mostly used him as a playmaker.
To me, he should stay at Marseille or go in loan to a youth-developer club (Especially in the Bundesliga) to develop. He's great, but can sometimes be regular. His spatial awareness off the ball must improve. Andre Villa Boas has mostly used him as a playmaker.
I wouldn't call it a regista, but definitely a creator from deep thank to his long passes. Once he'll have improved that, the comparisons with Marquinhos or even Thiago Silva will be justified: He will definitely have a great career ahead of him.
