Player Analysis: Adama Traore
One of my favourite players in world football, Adama has always been a unique player, notorious for his oiled-up, massive biceps. He is a unicorn profile and has often received criticism for his lack of end product, but this season seems to be a different story. With already a goal and assist in three games, he is on track for his most prolific season to date.
Historical Performances
It is still early doors, but Adama has contributed directly to two out of three Fulham goals so far, with an assist against Leicester, and a goal against Ipswich.
This is his eighth Premier League season – his most successful one prior was the 2019/2020 season playing for Wolves under Nuno Espirito Santo. Raul Jimenez partnered him up top, and opponents simply couldn’t contain his burst of pace in transition. He registered 4 goals and 9 assists that season, but was never able to replicate any such form. Last season, he managed 5 goals + assists, which was his second-most successful campaign in the English top flight.
However, last season he started just 1 game. Adama made 17 appearances, playing the equivalent of 4.2 90’s – which makes his numbers look quite spectacular, contributing an average of 1.19 goal contributions per 90 minutes.
Adama has already played almost as much as he did last season in the league, at 2.6 90’s so far. He has started all three games, and most recently played the full 90 against Ipswich – something he did not achieve at all last season.
A Tactical Shift
Interestingly, Adama currently has an average of 2.68 shots per 90, only Muniz has higher for Fulham. Getting him further up the pitch into the box (as opposed to keeping him wide), has given defenders a real problem so far. Naturally, given his speed, opposing defenders have been tentative getting too close, instead allowing him a few yards. In doing so, they are giving Adama enough space to shoot in some fairly dangerous positions.
I really like the return of Kenny Tete. He’s willing to get forward and hold width, which allows Adama to get closer to goal. With this small tactical change, it explains how he has been more involved in the goals, and shots too. I really hope he can maintain fitness, because Fulham are much much better when he plays.
Season Expectations
The talent this man possesses in undeniable, and it seems that Marco Silva can harness that in his tactical system – he just has to play regularly. On the whole, defenders have become a bit more aware of how to defend him, but he seems full of confidence so far – this really could be his most prolific season so far.
With his ability to carry the ball, Adama will always carry an assist threat. He’s averaged 0.44 expected assists per 90 for Fulham so far, comfortably the highest in the squad. Bear in mind, he also doesn’t take any set-pieces. He has overperformed his xG, scoring 1 goal from 0.5 xG, but Marco Silva is clearly intent on getting him into the box more often, so I fancy his goals tally to increase further.
Thanks for reading!
