How would you rate/rank these young forwards in league 1?
Jonathan David, Lois Openda, Folarin Balogun, Amine Gouri and Elye Wahi
Tough to say and very different players.
- David is a top forward except in finishing, but his hard work makes him succeed there. Lille had to trust him for more than half a year before he started scoring though, not sure his next club will have the same patience. He's a guy who has so-so confidence. His performance at the WC was a disgrace. Too much pressure? His head is a question mark.
- Openda is a quick good scoring touch foward with a big motor. But he's still small and I'd say a one trick poney (counter, counter, counter).
- Balogun surprised me. He's in the right spot, he plays with his teammates, he moves really well. Not the best pure finished, but smart off the ball. I have trouble assessing his potential.
- Gouiri has the most tools of all those players. He can dribble, press, shoot, pass. Still he can have trouble at times playing on the same "idea" as his teammates.
- Wahi needs space too, like Openda. He's very quick and technically very solid (more than Openda). He could have trouble leading a line though. On the small side. Old question about his character dating from his 15 year old or so where he was kicked out of Caen's academy.
In terms of potential, Gouiri is IMO the biggest, but he's also the one who has scored the less this season.