HomeZ OLD CATEGORIESEPL Index Statistical ComparisonsModibo Maiga | West Ham's Transfer Target | Stats Comparison

Modibo Maiga | West Ham’s Transfer Target | Stats Comparison

West Ham have been linked with a range of players: Milos Krasic, Eljero Elia, Andy Carroll, but it appears as if FC Sochaux striker Modibo Maiga will become Sam Allardyce’s first big name signing of the summer: following Mohamed Diame, Jussi Jaaskelainen, George McCartney & Stephen Henderson through the famous Upton Park gates.

Maiga, 25, is a Malian international striker, who has played in the French Ligue 1 for many years now, but he started off his career at Malian side Stade Malien, where he made just 3 appearances, but he was then shipped out to Moroccan side Raja Casablanca, where he made 22 appearances, only scoring twice, but did win the Arab Champions League with the side.

In the summer of 2007, Maiga moved to Ligue 1 side Le Mans. The 20-year old spent 3 seasons at the French side, scoring 15 goals in 88 appearances, but following their relegation to Ligue 2, he signed a 4-year deal with FC Sochaux in the summer of 2010.

Here are Modibo Maiga’s statistics over the last 3 seasons:

Maiga, as you can see, has a fairly accurate shot, over the last three years, he averages near enough every other shot on target, so he makes the keeper work. He also is not afraid of taking shots on, averaging 47 shots per season. Maiga scores the majority of his goals at the start, or end of the game, with 56% of his goals coming in the first and last 15 mins of each half. His 2010/11 performances and goal scoring, warranted him a big move, and in January of 2012, he was set to make a £6mil move to English side Newcastle United, but he failed a medical, according to French source L’Equipe.

Lets have a look at Maiga’s key attributes, courtesy of whoscored.com:

Via WhoScored.com

The  6ft1″ striker is a very good header of the ball, which is why it has been listed as his strongest attribute, scoring 44% of his goals last season via the header, and his heading ability would mean he is very good at winning aerial duels. Maiga, as stated, is not afraid of shooting from any distance, along with this he is a top finisher, but he favours his left foot, 80% of his goals scored by his feet, were with the left foot, however, this is the case with many strikers, they do not enjoy taking part in defensive duties for the side, which is why his defensive contribution is his worst attribute, and would need to be addressed.

Next we shall compare Maiga to the other top scoring strikers in Ligue 1 last season:

The league’s top scorer last year, Olivier Giroud of Montpellier, but now of Arsenal, led the league in most stats, goals, total shots, assists & shots on target, with the leagues second best scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of St. Etienne was second to Giroud in all the stats that he led. Maiga was second in shooting accuracy with 53%, behind Lyon striker Lisandro Lopez who had 58% of his shots hitting the target. He was also third in conversion percentage with 18%, behind Yoan Gouffran (24%) and Lopez again (23%). A key Stat to look at here is appearances, Maiga made the least amount of appearances last year with 23, which would mean he would score less goals.

Maiga will be an excellent acquisition for West Ham, as he is a good finisher, excellent in the air, his shots are very accurate, and he converts a good amount of his shots. He will ask questions of the defence and try to dribble past them, and will improve the overall standard of the West Ham play.

All stats provided by whoscored.com & Ligue1.com

BackPage
BackPage
The Official @BackPage Twitter. #TeamBP Football Transfer News, Breaking News, Football Articles & Opinions Writer for 'The Dugout Magazine' @FreshFootball @Oddschanger & @EPLIndex
More News

1 COMMENT

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here