In this thread, I will go through:
- General Information
- Strengths
- Weaknesses
- Overall Assessment
- General Information
- Strengths
- Weaknesses
- Overall Assessment
GENERAL INFORMATION
Abdallah Sima has been one of the biggest surprises of the 20/21 season so far. The Slavia Prague player is having a phenomenal breakthrough season and has reportedly attracted the interest of several PL clubs such as West Ham or Arsenal.
Abdallah Sima has been one of the biggest surprises of the 20/21 season so far. The Slavia Prague player is having a phenomenal breakthrough season and has reportedly attracted the interest of several PL clubs such as West Ham or Arsenal.
Sima is a 19-year-old forward from Senegal. His primary position is CF, although he has played a majority of his games this season on the wing. He is right-footed and 188cm (6'2) tall.
This season, he has managed 7 goals and 1 assist in 8 appearances in the league, averaging a sensational 1.28 goal involvements per 90. In the Europa League, he has managed another 3 goals in 6 appearances, averaging 0.73 goal involvements per 90. All goals came from open play.
STRENGTHS
1) Heading ability
Abdallah Sima's biggest strength is in the air, with 6 of his 10 goals being headers. This makes him a threat from corners, a valuable asset to have in your team, as well as an outlet for crosses when a team is unable to create otherwise.
1) Heading ability
Abdallah Sima's biggest strength is in the air, with 6 of his 10 goals being headers. This makes him a threat from corners, a valuable asset to have in your team, as well as an outlet for crosses when a team is unable to create otherwise.
2) Pace and workrate
On the wing, Sima is able to make runs in behind the fullback as well as provide workrate both in attack and defence. This makes him great at pressing, a claim supported by his 15.6 pressures per 90 in the UEL (f.e. Martinelli has 17.1 this season).
On the wing, Sima is able to make runs in behind the fullback as well as provide workrate both in attack and defence. This makes him great at pressing, a claim supported by his 15.6 pressures per 90 in the UEL (f.e. Martinelli has 17.1 this season).
3) Eye for goal
Sima is most effective inside the box. All his 10 goals have come from that area. He has an instinct for goals and is always looking to score, with an average 2.68 shots per 90 in the UEL (f.e. Son has 1.87 this season).
Sima is most effective inside the box. All his 10 goals have come from that area. He has an instinct for goals and is always looking to score, with an average 2.68 shots per 90 in the UEL (f.e. Son has 1.87 this season).
4) Mentality / Big Game Player
Sima isn't the type of player to stat pad against lesser teams and ghost in big games. He has scored against the likes of Nice and Hapoel Be'er Sheva in crucial UEL games as well as Sparta Prague in the derby and Slovan Liberec, both UEL teams.
Sima isn't the type of player to stat pad against lesser teams and ghost in big games. He has scored against the likes of Nice and Hapoel Be'er Sheva in crucial UEL games as well as Sparta Prague in the derby and Slovan Liberec, both UEL teams.
WEAKNESSES
1) Long distance shooting
As good as Sima is within the penalty area, he isn't nearly as prolific outside it. None of his 10 goals have come from shots outside the box and he doesn't attempt them often either.
1) Long distance shooting
As good as Sima is within the penalty area, he isn't nearly as prolific outside it. None of his 10 goals have come from shots outside the box and he doesn't attempt them often either.
2) Weak foot
This is another area Sima needs to work on. In the Europa League this season, he completed 71% of his live ball passes with his right foot and only 16% with his left. This shows a heavy reliance on his right foot, making him more predictable in attack.
This is another area Sima needs to work on. In the Europa League this season, he completed 71% of his live ball passes with his right foot and only 16% with his left. This shows a heavy reliance on his right foot, making him more predictable in attack.
3) Operating in tight spaces
Although Sima can get past players with his pace and strength, he struggles in tight spaces where he has to rely purely on his dribbling abilities. Due to his height, he also comes off as "clunky" at times and often struggles to retain balance.
Although Sima can get past players with his pace and strength, he struggles in tight spaces where he has to rely purely on his dribbling abilities. Due to his height, he also comes off as "clunky" at times and often struggles to retain balance.
OVERALL ASSESSMENT
Abdallah Sima is definitely an exciting young prospect for world football. Personally, I definitely see his future at CF rather than on the wing, due to his goalscoring instincts. His playstyle reminds of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Both can play on the wing as
Abdallah Sima is definitely an exciting young prospect for world football. Personally, I definitely see his future at CF rather than on the wing, due to his goalscoring instincts. His playstyle reminds of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Both can play on the wing as
well as upfront but are better as CFs, due to them not being complete enough to excel on the wing. On the other hand, it is important to remember that Sima is still only 19 years of age and has lots of time to improve his game. That being said, I would certainly say it is way
too early for a big move. With Slavia's owner claiming the club won't sell their superstar for less than €50m, the move currently wouldn't make sense for any of the teams interested nor the player himself. Sima is at the stage of his career where he needs regular game time at a
fairly high level, something Slavia are able to provide. In my opinion, the player should stay for at least another year before moving elsewhere. If he can keep up his performances to this standard, he will be ready for a move to a top 5 league. One of his potential
destinations looks to be West Ham, who have recently acquired Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal from Slavia and the clubs are said to be in a great relationship with each other. With the underwhelming performances of Sebastian Haller, a new CF with an instinct for goals is on the
Hammer's radar and Sima could fill that role perfectly.
Overall, Sima is a player to watch out for and one that has the potential to become a top player, but is still very raw and needs another year of consistent game time to fully develop.
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Overall, Sima is a player to watch out for and one that has the potential to become a top player, but is still very raw and needs another year of consistent game time to fully develop.
- END OF THREAD
Hopefully you found the thread informative, it took me some time to make so likes and RTs would be appreciated. If there are other Czech players that you'd want me to do a thread on let me know.