Background
Born on 3rd January 1997, Fode Ballo Toure started out at the PSG academy which reached the UEFA Youth League final but lost to a Chelsea side which had Tomori. Fode Ballo Toure then left Paris St.Germain well knowing that the first team was already stacked beyond opportunities and he was picked up by then Lille coach Marcelo Bielsa. Under Bielsa he stayed for 1.5 seasons and played 47 times before Monaco shelled out 11 Million for his transfer and survive relegation that season.
SCOUTING
Fode Ballo Toure, in one of the most common knowledge to all fols, is extremely pacey. His extremely agile frame and thin legs make it extremely easy for him to take long strides in a short time thus making it easy for him to cover more ground.
Ballo Toure was originally a wide midfielder who was converted and drilled as an attacking football by ex-Lille Coach Marcelo Bielsa
As a full back who likes to stride forward Toure likes to stride forward and make overlapping runs off of his winger who tucks in to create space
Toure has a good cross and can float in good crosses using both his feet. Given how Milan have invested in 2 big center-forwards crosses can be useful when trying to break down deep blocks
In-terms of defending Ballo Toure needs to improve on his concentration and avoid unforced errors.
In terms of pressing Ball Toure is extremely agressive and presses the player on the ball sometimes to an extent he fouls the player
Ballo Toure also has decent ball control and is assuring in posession and has very less bad touches
With pace he is able to track back quickly and recover in time to make tackles. This is an important feature for Milan’s left back who are expected to join the attack but expected to join the defense in case a counter breaks out.
In terms of 1v1 defending Ballo Toure needs to improve on it and not slide into challenges and concede space to the attacker.
STATISTICAL COMPARISON
DEAL OR NO DEAL
Milan had been in the market for a back up left back since January 2020 and ever since Ricardo Rodriguez left. While Milan filled the gap last season making Dalot playing 2 positions as left and right back the qualification to Champions League meant that Milan needed reinforcements and quality in depth for these positions. For 4M plus addons Fode Ballo Toure looks like a low cost low risk signing made by Maldini under the watchful eyes of Moncada. Experienced, pacey and having potential Fode Ballo Toure did no have the expected breakthrough at Monaco but hopefully he can do that at Milan and tussle with Theo Hernandez for the starting role
TRANSFER RATING 7/10
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