At 30, Togolese forward Ihlas Bebou has firmly written his name in the Bundesliga's annals, impressing at Hoffenheim with a chameleonic ability to play not only as a lone striker but also on the right wing and midfield. Known for his tenacity—the kind of player who never lets a loose ball escape—Bebou's ball recovery skills prove impressive, hitting an 88 percentile. His ball retention ability also garners a respectable 64 percentile, offering a valuable quality in situations where maintaining possession is non-negotiable.
Keenly predatory in the attacking third, his chance creation and goal efficiency stand at the brighter side of the scale with scores of 80 and 84, respectively. However, his goal threat may appear less intimidating with a concerning 34 percentile—a pointer to a potential weakness in his game. Interestingly, Bebou's defensive abilities lend him a unique niche, alluding to his versatility and all-roundedness with an 84 percentile ranking in one-on-one defending.
In terms of touch, Bebou often finds himself in the defensive third, indicating an asset not common among his fellow strikers, though his presence in the attacking penalty area could use a boost. His pass accuracy and assist scores are standout features, adding a new facet to his game.
Overall, while Bebou could accelerate his shooting rate and goal threat, his exceptional blend of ball recovery skills, versatility, and astute chance creation and assist rate emphasizes his importance in Hoffenheim's tactical set-up. His consistency continues to age like fine wine, making him an invaluable asset on the roster.
Ihlas Bebou Key stats
Ihlas Bebou Career Trend
Ihlas Bebou Shot Maps
Ihlas Bebou Shot Summary
In the 2023-2024 season, Ihlas Bebou took 38 shots, scoring 7 goals. This output came from an Expected Goals (xG) of 4.9, averaging 0.13 xG per shot.
Right Foot: 4 goals from 26 shots. A 15.38% conversion rate. 0.11 xG per shot.
Left Foot: 2 goals from 7 shots. A 28.57% conversion rate. 0.19 xG per shot.
Headers: 1 goals from 5 headed attempts. A 20.0% conversion rate. 0.12 xG per shot.
