Reported Celtic, Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur target Aaron Boupendza may be a little ‘one-dimensional’ and shares a few similarities with West Brom’s Mbaye Diagne, ex-Turkey international Oktay Derelioglu told Hurriyet.
When Sam Allardyce brought an experienced Senegal international to The Hawthorns in January, the Baggies boss would have been hoping that Diagne was capable of replicating the form that made him one of the most feared attackers in Turkey.
But, with just one goal in nine Premier League matches, the Galatasaray loanee has failed to spark any real hope of a ‘Great Escape’ to rival that of 2005.
The new Geoff Horsfield he most certainly is not.
But should Diagne’s struggles be a warning sign to the handful of clubs keen on bringing another Super Lig hot-shot to Britain?
According to Derelioglu, Hatayspor hitman Boupendza may be lacking the all-round game required to shine in a major European league.
“Aaron Boupendza scores a lot of goals but he does not contribute in both parts of the game. I watched him a lot and I have a question mark,” Derelioglu said.
“I liken his style of play to Diagne, he is a one-dimensional player.”
With 18 goals in 16 starts, there is certainly nothing wrong with Boupendza’s finishing skills.
90Min report that Spurs have identified the £10 million-rated Gabon international as a potential replacement for Carlos Vinicius in Jose Mourinho’s squad, with Southampton, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Celtic, Rangers and more also interested.
But lest we forget that Diagne scored goals for fun in Turkey too.
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