Tadpoles To Watch - Centre Backs

Mamadou Sakho

FactFile:            

Full Name:            Mamadou Sakho

Date of Birth:        February 13, 1990 (age 19)

Height:                  6ft 2in

Club:                     PSG

Position:               Centre-Back

Overview:

Tall, weighty and powerful, Mamadou Sakho was born to be a centre-back. Except he wasn’t. Originally a striker, Sakho was moved to defence owing to PSG’s youth side having surplus attackers… and he shone.

Naturally suited to defending due to his physique, Sakho soon showed that his stature was not the only thing that made him a quality defender. He seemed to have natural instincts and abilites that were ideal for the role. Fantastic in the air, Sakho dominates the back-line, and his commanding presence fits perfectly with his commanding attitude. A born leader, his communication and organisational skills did not go unnoticed by manager Paul Le Guen, and he gave the young centre-back the opportunity of a lifetime when he made the starlet captain on his debut. This made Sakho, four months shy of 18, the youngest captain in Ligue Un history.

He has since played 25 league games for PSG, and doubtless that number would be far greater if it weren’t for a troublesome groin that has plagued his fledgling career. Touted by many as the next Lilian Thuram, Footie Frog isn’t surprised by the comparison, as Sakho plays in a very similar way. He is slightly quicker than the French legend, but his aerial prowess and his reputation for tough, no-nonsense marking make him a smililarly feared prospect, despite his age. He must work on his basic game, however, as his technical ability with the ball is not the greatest. Several times he has been exposed for lacking the ability with the ball – the passing skills necessary of a top class defender – but these will come with time and with matches.

Already an accomplished defender, if that weak groin doesn’t ruin Mamadou Sakho’s career the captaincy of ‘Les Bleus’ could be next on his list.