Player Profile:
- Position: Right Winger / Left Winger / Attacking Midfielder
- Nationality: France
- Date of Birth: 28/11/2004 (18 Years)
- Current Club: Burnley
- Former Club(s): PSG (Y), Troyes
- Preferred Foot: Right
- Height: 182 cm
- Transfermarkt Value: €6 million
Troyes endured a torrid time during the 2022/23 Ligue 1 campaign. After managing to win only four of their games and conceding 81 goals along the way the City Football Group team suffered relegation to Ligue 2. There was one bright spark though – the performances of 18-year-old winger, Wilson Odobert. The former PSG youth player signed for Troyes in July 2022 and, after just one season of senior football, has secured a move to Premier League side Burnley.
Physically Odobert has a very lean and athletic frame, and at 182cm he is not overly tall however, this is no problem for a winger. There are areas where his physical profile needs to improve. He is weak in the duels which means it is easier for defenders to prevent him from reaching the ball, additionally, his lack of height means that he is poor in aerial duels. However, he does possess an excellent explosive burst of acceleration and is able to maintain a decent speed over longer distances which enables him to travel up the pitch during transitions and effectively join the attack, this also allows him to track back to help out defensively too. His speed is extremely beneficial when his team are looking to initiate a press as he can cover the ground rapidly.
In the attacking phase when starting as a right winger, Odobert tends to drift infield and will operate as a number 10, creating space for the fullback to overlap in the attacking phase. He is more effective when starting as a left winger though, as he loves to cut inside onto his stronger right foot to create a goal-scoring opportunity. During transitions from defence to attack, he will often look to stay as wide as possible which creates space in central areas for runners to join the attack. Moreover, in the defensive phase, he can position himself well in order to intercept the ball high up the pitch. He also shows good awareness of how to position himself to close off passing lanes which limits the opposition when trying to play out.
In terms of his technical profile Wilson Odobert shines in 1v1 situations, his close control and dribbling abilities mean he is very astute at beating defenders in wide areas. He can carry the ball at pace and utilise a quick drop of the shoulder to change direction, plus he will often dribble with the outside of his foot which also enables him to maintain his speed and weave in and out of defenders. The former PSG youngster clearly loves to be in possession of the ball but he is very aware of his surroundings and knows when to release a pass to a teammate. It has to be said, when receiving the ball Wilson is able to ensure that his body orientation allows for an optimal first touch to create space for him to either carry the ball or look for a teammate.
Odobert is usually very accurate with his passing, predominantly using short or medium passes, he will rarely opt for a long pass. Additionally, he possesses a powerful shot but he does lack accuracy which is something that needs to be improved if he is going to play at the very top level. He is also reasonably comfortable using his weaker foot so he is unpredictable which makes it difficult for defenders tasked with marking him.
Character-wise the youngster appears to be a very team-oriented player. He has an excellent work ethic which is on display every time he steps onto the football pitch. He is willing to put in the hard graft for the team and very often maintains a calm demeanour on the pitch which will greatly benefit him in the future.
Overall, Wilson Odobert is a very talented player, at the minute I think the best way to describe him is as a raw talent. It’s clear that he needs time to develop further but the potential is certainly there for him to play at the highest level. At the time of this report being written, Odobert has just secured a transfer to Burnley. The Premier League club will certainly him as an investment for the future as they seek to maintain their topflight status.
Video footage of Odobert from the 2022/23 Ligue 1 season: