Ismaël Traoré Scout Report
Bringing years of experience to his role as a central defender for Metz in France's Ligue 1, 37-year-old Ismaël Traoré is an Ivory Coast international whose veteran status is evidenced by his adaptability on the pitch. Largely confined to backline duties, with an almost 60% activity presence in the defensive third, Traoré embraces his role in holding the fort for Metz.
However, his scout report indicates room for improvement in key defensive statistics. Traoré languishes in the lower echelons of percentile rankings for Ball Recovery, and his Aerial Duels Win % is alarmingly low, pointing to a potential vulnerability against aerial threats. The same can be said for his similarly low Duel Win %, suggesting his ground battles may leave much to be desired.
Possessing an above-average ranking in Ball Retention and Interceptions however, signals that Traoré may mitigate his shortcomings with astuteness in these aspects of play. Despite his relatively advanced age for a footballer, his player stats indicate a steady presence, if not spectacular.
Interestingly, Traoré has a markedly low percentage of touches for a central defender, with his percentile shockingly low. Yet, this could indicate a preference for a more conservative, direct approach to avoid turnover in dangerous areas.
In sum, Traoré's style of play seems rooted in classic defending, despite some glaring weaknesses. His defensive duties are a priority, any chance creation or progressive carrying are left to his younger, more sprightly teammates, as owing to his low figures in these metrics. Ultimately, Traoré's influence is felt more in his defensive solidity than in the attacking third.
