Joe Chacksfield takes a look at the frustratingly brilliant Adama Traore.
Where to start with Adam Traore…
Quite frankly, he’s possibly one of the most exciting players in the Premier League. His blistering pace, quick feet and just pure strength makes him an absolute nightmare for defenders.
Or does it?
As a footballer he’s an enigma. As Wolves fans I’d think we agree that we always get a little bit excited to see his name on the team sheet and there’s always that little bit of hope that this is the game.
This match he’ll score.
This match he’ll do the business.
Every game that passes in which he doesn’t score or assist, that hope and excitement starts to dwindle.
He’s got all the skills needed to be one of the best players in the league. So what is it that is holding him back? Personally, I think last season it was a mix of tiredness and frustration. Having no fans there affected his game massively in my opinion. When he does play and misses a chance or misplaces a pass you can see on his face he knows it wasn’t what he intended and without fans he didn’t have as much encouragement when things didn’t go to plan. Whereas with fans watching and he does misplace that pass or drags his shot, us as fans we get behind him. All you can hear throughout wherever we are playing is “ohhh Adama Traore” from our fans and that gives him a boost. You can tell just by watching he may show some frustration but literally minutes later he’ll try again. Last season was different though, as it was for everyone but when things didn’t go to plan his head stayed down and he didn’t have that spring in his step like he does when the fans are behind him. He isn’t the only player affected in this way though you could quite easily replace his name with any of our squad from last season, it was the same.
We’re now 2 league games into the season and Adama has arguably been our best player in both games, especially against Spurs when we were at home. He drove and drove at their defence relentlessly in the first half and had our best chance of the entire game. This is almost a carbon copy of the Leicester game, drove and drove and had our best chance. The issue with this is he missed both chances, they were both similar in their nature as they both needed a composed side foot to beat the keeper. That’s one word that isn’t usually associated with Adama though. Composure. That’s the defining factor in Adama being the player he is to the player he could be.
It’s clearly not just Wolves fans who find him exciting as he was called up to the Spain squad for the Euros. Luis Enrique and the Spanish Football association clearly can see his potential as he had a call up. Sadly he didn’t get a single minute for the team in the tournament, but why didn’t he?
There were a few opportunities for him to come on when Spain were trailing the game but he didn’t. The biggest opportunity was when Spain were losing to Italy in the Semi final of the tournament. The game went to extra time and the game had gone quite flat. Both teams were tiring and at that point as a last roll of the dice I believe he should have come on. You could be the best defender on the planet but if you have run around and defended for 90+ minutes, Adama is up there with one of the last people you would want too see coming onto the pitch. INCONSISTENCY. Another word which has always followed Adama around. That is in my opinion why he didn’t get any minutes for Spain. You can’t guarantee he’s going to run defenders ragged and play that perfect ball for the striker to put the ball in the net.
COMPOSURE AND CONSISTENCY.
These are the two words in which is holding Adama back. If he can work on his finishing and his final ball he could be the player we all want him to become and if he does this more regularly he could be one of the best players in the league. I understand that my statement isn’t anything new for Wolves fans to hear but I truly believe just getting behind him and giving him the support that we’re capable of we’ll begin to receive the fruits of our labour and he will come good. I believe this because the season where he performed well, fans were in and he was riding the wave of constant praise. Once he gets off the mark this season and we are behind him I believe he can get more than 5 goals.
Bruno ball is more free flowing and open. It gives us more opportunities for Adama to get through on goal and hopefully it’ll mean he can take some chances. He needs to stick to his game and use his pace and power and not try to be something he’s not.
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