Brighton & Hove Albion have signed a five-year deal with Mali midfielder Yves Bissouma from Lille, for an undisclosed fee. He is their sixth signing of the summer as the Seagulls aim to refine their performance from last season and be a regular feature in the English top-flight.
The 21-year-old is a proper box-to-box midfielder who has the stamina and physicality to endure the intensity of the Premier League. He possesses remarkable qualities with and without the ball and is rightfully considered one of the complete midfielders in the French top division.
Bissouma is certain to add a different dimension to the Brighton midfield and manager Chris Hughton should be happy about getting this deal over the line.
Here’s everything you need to know about the player and why he can make the difference at Amex Stadium:
Bissouma is predominantly an attack-minded midfielder with fabulous game awareness to track back and help his defence out. The 21-year-old has the ability to drive past defenders in a flash from tight situations, making him a reliable candidate in possession. With a dribble rate of 2.3 per game (won 42 out of the 58 take on) in the league, Bissouma can easily dazzle past opponents.
The Malian has a pass completion rate of 85%, with a key pass rate of 0.5 per game, symbolizing the fact that he can fabricate chances if given time and space with the ball. He fits in the high-tempo game, as he possesses an impressive turn of pace to go past people and has the required knowledge to make recovery runs when needed.
Hughton might have to tinker his 4-4-1-1 formation and deploy a 4-3-3 to get the best out of Bissouma. The 21-year-old will thrive in the No. 8 position, provided he receives adequate freedom to move forward.
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Overall, Brighton have signed a midfielder who can be a threat from counter-attacks and also act as an added defensive body when needed. At the tender age of 21, Bissouma has the ability to perform well and enhance his widely prominent reputation.
Stats Courtesy – Whoscored.com
