Boubacar Kamara is the name who is on everyone’s lips. Europe’s top elite clubs are after this 22 year old center-back turned holding midfielder. We will find out more about him below.
Early Stages
“Bouba” entered the Olympique Marseille academy at the tender age of 5, and he made it through all the categories like U-15,U-18 and so on. He was made captain of the U-19 team and
he made his debut in 2016 against Sochaux.
Looking at his position, he started out as a center-back but he transitioned to deep holding defensive midfielder. He comfortably plays as a midfielder, and he doesn’t have any problem drifting to play as a center-back. As he has played many games from the back.
We can see from his season heatmap, that most of his activities have been in the middle of the park, both defensive and offensive half. We will now dive deep into his more intricate details.
Passing
Kamara has made a total of 4500 passes out of which 2142 passes were completed, taking his percentile rank to 97,and he has pass success % of 95%.Being a holding midfielder/center back he makes the most passes, more than anyone in the team, as it’s seen by a total of 4500 passes. He is needed to start attacks from the back, which is seen as an important trait in a holding midfielder/center-back.
He excels in short diagonal passes (from left flank to right flank, and vice-versa), as seen. He has made 1005 passes, 99 and he ranks 33.96 per 90. He is a player to progress the ball into the center of the pitch and final third, as he ranks 88 percentile in spraying passes to final third. He takes the ball from his own final third, and sprays on to the final third of the pitch to more creative players to carry the ball forward. His one special ability is that he is very good at long passes. He usually picks out the ball in the deep, and sprays it out to other players in the wide position. His long range passing will benefit players like Marcus Rashford, if he joins United. It is the type of passing range which midfield duo of Scott McTominay and Fred miss — passing between the line or long passes.
The Frenchman is highly reliable during the build up play and progression play, as he needs to be aware that during these times cheap ball losses and aggressive transitions don’t happen, and he is there to thwart the danger. Kamara is comfortable in attracting pressure on him, as he is able to make passes when pressed by the opponents, and his teammates are able to pass the ball to him when he is pressed by the opponents.
Kamara usually sends lofted through balls or cheeky key passes for his teammates to have a shot or goal scoring chances. He has created 3 big chances for his team.
Looking at his passing clusters, in cluster 1 he has made a total of 876 passes. In this he has sprayed his passes all over the pitch. In the second cluster, he has made a total of 758 passes. In it we can see his diagonal long balls,short balls, passes under pressure. In the
cluster he has made a total of 718 passes. In it his ability to switch up the play and pass it to the onrushing rightwing back is shown here and him passing back to center-backs.
Ball Receiver
This can’t be stressed enough but receiving the ball is as important as passing the ball. Kamara’s role at Marseille has been very important in receiving the ball. It is usually undervalued, but for a team which is very heavy possession based, for a team that likes to build its attack through the line, Kamara is the lynchpin to keep the team’s shape.
The Frenchman is the main man for his teammates in build up play or ball progression play. Bouba ranks 97 percentile in passes which he received compared to other defensive midfielders from top 5 League, highlighting his importance in the team’s tactics.
Touches and Carries
Kamara has made most of his touches inside the middle third, having made a total of 1682 touches. He has a habit of moving the ball from deep. However, the midfielder is very careful when receiving his first touch, as he usually miscontrols the ball. He could be bolder at receiving on the half-turn and create forward passing angles for him. It would help him in progressing through the ball, when he is moving to the final third. Kamara ranks 98 percentile among top 5 League in touches in the middle third.
Kamara is a good ball carrier, as he has carried the ball 2532 times, out of which he has carried the ball in the middle third 28 times, and he has progressively carried the ball 128 times. Kamara ranks 95 percentile in carrying the ball.
Skilled Enough
Kamara uses his silky moves to dribble past the opponent. He has the speed to accelerate and decelerate and dribble past opponents at ease. Kamara ranks 83 percentile in successfully dribbling past opponents at ease.
Defense
As per the fbref, his tackles are at 2.66 per 90 and interceptions is 2.07 per 90. But these stats don’t do him justice, as Kamara is a very good defensive tackler. He usually stands in the path of the ball receiver and by cutting this passing option he is able to pressurize his opponents to make mistakes. Kamara ranks very high in successful pressure applied with 95 percentile.
Being only 22 years, one can expect the Frenchman to improve his defensive ability, in terms of positioning, tackling, and his physiciality over the next few seasons. We could see Kamara become a top level center back or holding midfielder.
Goal Scoring
Kamara is not big on goals as he has scored only one goal this season. He has taken 22 shots and 3 were on target.
Manchester United or City
Manchester United
Manchester United have been credited for finding a number six. This position has been very well documented. He could provide a pivot for McTominay and Fred. With a host of players like Pogba, Matic and Mata departing this season, Erik Ten Hag could get his man for free, as Kamara’s contract expires this June. Kamara would like a box to box midfielder bought alongside him. Players like Haidara will benefit him. If the boss wants to buy him as a central defender as he has expertise as a defender, players like Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and fringe players have to leave. He might be third choice defender behind captain Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane or Victor Lindelof, it depends on the gaffer in what position he wants to bring him in.
Manchester City
Manchester City are looking for a replacement for Fernandinho, who is at the twilight of his career(35) and declined a renewal at City, in favor of playing in his hometown in Brazil. City’s style of play would be suitable for Kamara, because they play heavy possession based and pressing style. The inverted wing backs demand that a player drop deep between the center-backs and dictate play from there.
City heavily relies on data for recruitment. It won’t be surprise if Boubacar is on their transfer shortlist. Kamara could provide perfect replacement for the veteran Brazilian.
There are other host of clubs after him, it remains to be seen where he ends up.
