Massadio Haïdara Scout Report
In our latest scout report, we delve into Lens center back, Massadio Haïdara's performance during the 2023-2024 Ligue 1 season. At 31, Haïdara, who can also effectively execute duties as a left wing-back, displays an intriguing style of play.
A considerable forte lies in his advanced chance creation ability, placing him amongst the top 20% of Ligue 1 center backs. This, combined with his impressive 77.61% aerial duel win rate, speaks volumes about his offensive threat from set-pieces and his capability to dominate the air defensively.
However, despite his prowess in sporadic areas, his overall performance comes across as underwhelming. Struggles in retaining the ball and recovering it from opposition are glaring, ranking amongst the worst in the league. In addition, his duel win percentage is extremely disappointing. These flaws significantly hinder his ability to tackle counter-attacks and maintain defensive solidity, forcing him to commit frequent fouls.
Additionally, his modest role in progressive carrying and passing implies a rather simplistic, risk-averse approach in possession; while his relatively moderate interception rate barely compensates for low recovery rates.
Indeed, Haïdara is more suited to acting in the midfield third, where he sees most of the ball. This suggests a more defensive-oriented style geared towards passive resistance than aggressive engagement. Summing up, while Haïdara's aerial prowess and chance creation provides some flashes of brilliance, his low ball retention and recovery, as well as inconsistent dueling win rates, hinder him from ascending to the top echelon of Ligue 1 defenders. Ultimately, his player stats reflect an ageing defender grappling with physical decline and underperforming in key areas.
