Every weekend we pick out one under-23 player from around Europe and analyse their performance to provide you with an in-depth scouting report.
This week, we head to France to focus on Lyon’s 2-0 win over Metz in Ligue 1 and the home side’s former Chelsea forward, 22-year-old Bertrand Traore.
Goals – 0
Shots – 1
Shots on target – 0
Touches – 38
Passes – 23
Key passes – 0
Dribbles – 0
Dispossessed – 1
Le 11 de départ pour #OLFCM 🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/t0raQPOhH7
— Olympique Lyonnais (@OL) October 29, 2017
The versatile attacker was deployed on the right of a three in behind Mariano as the hosts set-up in a fluid 4-2-3-1.
Naturally, starting on the right meant he looked to cut inside onto his favoured left foot and his solitary shot on goal was almost a beauty.
One of his obvious standout attributes is his first touch and he deliciously brought a high ball under his spell before smashing a jarring strike just over the bar in the first half.
But with Lyon 2-0 up inside 20 minutes the home side didn’t really have the impetus to get on the front foot and Metz were quite content to sit in stem the flow of goals.
It meant that Traore’s impact was pretty minimal overall but there were still takeaways nonetheless.
As mentioned his first touch is sublime, and it wasn’t just from an attacking perspective as he cut out a diagonal with sumptuous ease.
And on that, as daring as he is going forward – and when he gets on the ball his immediate thought is to drive at the opposition backline – his work rate in reverse must be applauded.
Several times he tracked back and he attempted three challenges while completing two interceptions and one clearance.
You can see he is maturing and developing at Lyon because he’s marrying his wand of a left foot, which provides real quality as he narrowly missed Memphis Depay with a cutting through ball, with a desire to work harder defensively, something highlighted as a drawback during his time with Chelsea.
He was brought off in the 66th minute with the game virtually won and while this wasn’t his best display when you consider how he tore Everton apart in the Europa League, he still showed glimpses of why Chelsea may return to bring him back to Stamford Bridge.
Bertrand Traore and impeccable first touches series continues... pic.twitter.com/cssBPzI8i0
— Nico (@NicoSulky1) October 29, 2017
28th min INTERCEPTION – Absolutely filthy touch from Traore who has worked phenomenally going back on the right side and he cuts out a diagonal pass with outstretched right peg before setting off another Lyon attack.
37th min SHOT: Another silky first touch. Complete concentration on the ball as it’s lumped forward out the back, he takes the ball down first time, cuts inside onto his left but his fizzing drive flies over the bar.
39th min PASS: Great vision but just not quite the execution as he spots the run of Depay far left and his weighted through ball almost finds the Dutchman but it slides off the surface and out for a goal kick.
66th min SUBBED: The Burkina Faso international sees his game brought to a close as he’s replaced by Tanguy NDombele.
Metz midfielder Renaud Cohade (R) vies for the ball with Bertrand Traore
Two fouls committed shows he needs to work on the timing of his challenges but his eagerness to work back for his team shows he is improving the weaker side of his game.
Going forward, Lyon lost their appetite having gone two goals in front so early but when he did get the ball, he showed enterprise to get in dangerous and guile to either shoot or create.
We’ll be checking back in with the 22-year-old again this season that is for sure.
