Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Adama Traore has made quite an impression at Molineux.
Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Adama Traore joins Lionel Messi and World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe at the top of the dribbling charts this season. No other player has averaged more per game.
According to Whoscored, Traore tops the list as he averages four successful take-ons per game – the same as Barcelona sensation Messi and France hero Mbappe – despite having played fewer minutes than either.
Traore joined Wolves from Championship side Middlesbrough during the summer, and he has already made a big impact at Molineux. He is well on his way to becoming a firm fans’ favourite.
The former Barca youth prodigy netted a last-minute winner in the 1-0 win at West Ham United last week, providing Wolves with their first three points of the season – and a real confidence-booster heading into the international break.
But Traore’s best feature by far is his speed, directness and dribbling ability. Only two other players in Europe’s top five leagues can match his current average of four per game, which is even more impressive when you consider that he has only featured for a total of 91 Premier League minutes.
The 22-year-old has come off the bench in three of Wolves’ matches this season – that’s when his qualities can be best utilised up against a tiring defence, with spaces to exploit on the counterattack.
Traore was a thorn in Manchester City’s side during the recent 1-1 draw at Molineux, and it was his pace and strength on the break which helped stun West Ham in his last outing.
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo has a potential dilemma on his hands now – with Traore pushing for a regular start.
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