FC Copenhagen finished on top in the top of the table clash, 2-1. FC Nordsjælland lined up in a 4-3-3 and F.C. Copenhagen also lined up in a 4-3-3. FC Nordsjælland’s youthful side started strong taking the lead in the first half, thanks to Mohamed Diomande’s excellent header. F.C. Copenhagen fought back in the second half, dominating the flow of the game and restricting FC Nordsjælland to counter-attacks.
Ratings:
- A1 – Very good, could play higher
- A2 – Strong potential to play higher
- B1 – Good, strong player at level
- B2 – Potential to be a strong player at level
- C – Average for the level, rewatch
- D – Below average in this match
Ernest Nuamah
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Ghana
- Age: 19
- Date of birth: 01/11/2003
- Current club: FC Nordsjælland
- Career: Right To Dream, FC Nordsjælland
- Position: Right Winger
- Secondary Position: Left Winger, Striker
- Preferred foot: Left
Ernest Nuamah was deployed as a right winger, where he had to licence to be direct in possession picking up inverted and wide positions. The Ghanaian stands at roughly 1,78m, with a relative build. The 19-year-old boasts incredible acceleration and his top speed over longer distances is ever more impressive. Nuamah has fantastic balance and agility where he is able to weave in and out of the opposition.
Nuamah wants to be direct with the ball, he wants to weave in and out of the opposition at a top speed and force them to commit to making the challenge – where he can utilise the space and make a pass, or craft a shooting opportunity. The Ghanaian’s close control is outstanding where he is exceptionally good in tight spaces combined with using his creativity to beat the opposition. On the other hand, his first touch was fairly inconsistent occasionally miss controlling the ball. Additionally, Nuamah manipulates the ball very well in a combination of using his body well to retain the ball and either win a foul or retain the ball. Despite not scoring, Nuamah was very clean at striking the ball and could hit them with real power with a small backlift.
At times Nuamah has tunnel vision, where he’ll fail to see the play developing in front of him as he’s dribbling through the opposition, which isn’t always a bad thing as he is so difficult to dispossess. Whilst in the final third Nuamah is actively looking to create, creating 3 key passes and 1 big chance – the 19-year-old delivered a superb in-swinging cross, creating a high-quality chance for FC Nordsjælland.
Nuamah has an excellent work ethic and you’ll see him running up and down throughout the duration of the game. While only 19, he has a very mature tactical understanding of the game. He understands whether he needs to provide width or move into central positions.
Ranking – A1
Like so many Right To Dream and FC Nordsjælland youngsters he’s destined to play a high level of football. Nuamah is very comparable to Kamaldeen Sulemana, who has just recently moved to the Premier League, and there is no doubt in my mind he will follow. Nuamah is excellent technically and his first thought is to attack the opposition.
I strongly believe he’s good enough to step up into the top 5 leagues. I’d favour a move to the Bundesliga or Ligue 1 where he can continue his development whilst playing high-level football.
Mohamed Diomande
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Ivory Coast
- Age: 21
- Date of birth: 30/10/2001
- Current club: FC Nordsjælland
- Career: Right To Dream, FC Nordsjælland
- Position: Central Midfielder
- Secondary Position: Attacking Midfielder, Left Winger
- Preferred foot: Left
Mohamed Diomande was deployed as a left winger during the first half, where he was given the licence to drop into the half spaces almost operating as a 10 at times. While during the second half, Diomande dropped into the midfield 3 on the left side, where he was more involved in the earlier phases of the build-up. Diomande stands at roughly 1,83m, with an ectomorph physique. The Ivorian’s pace is nothing to write home about, but nevertheless, his long strides are relatively quick over longer distances. Despite this, he’s quick over the first few yards combined with his ability to turn fast in possession he gets a good headstart on the opposition.
Diomande showed real quality with the ball at his feet. Due to his good movement, he’s constantly demanding the ball in the half-space, where he can use his good agility to turn the opponent and look to penetrate the opposition’s lines. Diomande has a brilliant passing range accompanied by great vision. He frequently looked to switch the ball to the opposite flank and finding the space. Diomande was brilliant in the transition of this game where he utilised all his skill sets to launch counter-attacks or slow down the play and look to play in his teammates. The young Ivorian’s first touches were unblemished and as touched on previously, combined with his passing range highlights his technical ability.
Diomande displayed excellent movement in the final third, notably on two occasions marauding between the two CBs and fashioning two-headed chances. One was a goal, which was brilliantly looped over the GK’s head in combination with his fantastic movement that gave the FC FC Nordsjælland CB, Kian Hansen, the opportunity to play a ball over the top and create the chance. The timing of his runs was key.
While in the defensive phase, Diomande moved well in the defensive unit and applied pressure when appropriate. However, when FC Nordsjælland dropped into a lower block Diomande could switch off from his defensive responsibilities.
Ranking – A2
Diomande is yet another brilliant prospect coming through the Right To Dream & FC Nordsjælland system, who is destined to play at a higher level. Diomande is a good technical player whose first thought is to play forward. I strongly believe in optimising his output in games he would be more suited as 10, where he can drop deep to pick up the ball and utilise his passing range, as well as, drop into advanced zones and look to unlock the defence and venture into the box.
To continue his development a move to Belgium Pro League, the Dutch Eredivisie, or the French Ligue 1 would be suitable at this stage.
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