The world is full of young football talents.
They grow up in the streets of São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Abuja or Belgrade, and the world is literally at their feet, so to speak. In our work and research in BabaGol, we discover many players that don’t get the focus or the chance to showcase their true potential.
Juan Gafas, our ‘shadow’ scout, with his weekly talent.
Victorien Adje Adebayor
Age: 23
Club: Inter Allies (Ghana)
Position: Winger, Forward
Nationality: Niger
Market Value: €150,000 (Transfermarkt)
Why follow him? An exciting and trickery attacker, with an excellent ability to take on defenders and with a knack for scoring outrageous goals, which you would probably want to watch on a regular basis.
Just over a week ago I got a tip on Adebayor, the Ghanaian league joint top goalscorer, and couldn't make the thorough research I usually do, but watching his last goal was enough to intrigue me.
He has all the basic skills and attributes you would like to have in your forwards: Pace, ball control and the ability to score goals from inside and outside of the box. Other aspects of his game aren't quite there yet, and perhaps will never be, as it apparently seems he is settled fine where he is now.
He had a short spell in French lower leagues a few years ago, and a year and a half ago he signed with Danish side Vejle, but didn't show up in the club and the deal was cancelled. Staying in Africa will make it difficult for him to improve, and clearly he doesn't have (or didn't have until recently) the motivation to make this move. So it is possible you wouldn't get to watch him in any big leagues in the future, but I truly believe that if you will make the effort to watch him, playing for the Niger national team or in the Ghanaian league, you would enjoy it!