Player Profile:
- Position: Striker
- Nationality: Senegal
- Date of Birth: 06/01/2005 (19 Years Old)
- Current Club: Aalesunds FK
- Preferred Foot: Left
- Height: 193cm
Moctar Diop is a 19-year-old Senegalese striker who currently plays for Aalesunds FK in Norway. He made his move from Senegal to Norway in 2023 and has had first-team opportunities but mainly has been playing in the B team to settle into his new environment.
Physically, Diop has a big presence up front and his team often looks to provide long balls into him, where he does often win the flick-on or knockdowns. However, he does have a slim frame which does require some work in the gym as well as his balance which needs improvement especially when it comes to his dribbling on the ball and also when leaping up for the ball. Diop has an explosive burst of acceleration and the pace to keep that up over longer distances, which also comes into play when pressing the opposition.
Diop does make proactive runs on and off the ball, which allows him to get into good goal-scoring positions. He utilises his frame to hold up the ball and bring his teammates into play however, does struggle to be in 1v1 situations in terms of taking on his opponent. Diop does require some work in terms of his technical ability when it comes to being on the ball if he is to hold down a regular spot in the first team.
Diop typically operates as a lone striker and is proactive in pressing the opposition when out of possession. He does make impressive runs and moves inside the box which allows his teammates to pick him out and also disturbs the opposition’s defensive line. Diop utilises his acceleration well and is able to kickstart a swift counter-attack which catches his opposition off guard.
The Senegalese displays a good attitude on the pitch and is always pressing when the team is out of possession, so the team can win the ball back as soon as possible. Diop is not the most vocal or is not always demanding the ball, which can be developed in time as he did only make his move to Europe last year, so this may be more of him picking up the language and settling in overall as opposed to this being his personality.
Overall, Diop has some good qualities which is why the Norwegian side purchased him from Senegal such as his movement and the positions he finds himself in. Technically, there is work to be done and having more time with the B team will help as he gains more minutes on the pitch.
It would be interesting to see how he would operate with a second striker to provide more support, as currently he plays as more of a poacher and has to be patient to get his chances and is the main target for aerial battles.
Perhaps if he had a strike partner who he could knock the balls into and set them off, it could provide more of a danger and take one of the opponent’s centre backs away from him in terms of space. As long as his creative teammates find him, Diop is likely to finish off his chances.
Target Scouting 