Scouting Report
Moussa Djitté
Position: Center Forward
Current Club: Grenoble Foot 38 (France)
DOB: 4 October 1999
Birthplace: Diattouma, Senegal
Height: 180 cm (5’11)
Weight: 74 kg (163 lbs)
Statistics
| Club (Years) | League | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| NGB (-2018) | Senegal Premier League | NA | NA |
| Sion (2018-19) | Swiss Super League | 23 | 3 |
| Grenoble (2019-) | French Ligue 2 | 29 | 9 |
| Senegal U-20 | Youth National Team | 5 | 2 |
| Senegal U-23 | Youth National Team | 1 | 1 |
Player Description
Moussa Djitté is a physical #9 forward who possesses a combination of strength and speed. Likes to play with his back to the goal and muscle off defenders. Also capable of making runs into space to give slower central defenders problems. Has featured in a two-striker pairing with a few appearances as a wide forward, but most of his success has come in the center of a three-forward line or alone up top.
General Pros and Cons
Pros
+ Very good lower body strength to hold the ball up and back down defenders.
+ Active nature in the box. Often gets on the end of crosses and is a good target.
Cons
– Limited passing ability and vision. Only capable of playing short and quick.
– Needs improvement when dribbling in space. Slower with the ball and lacks the ability to create when running at defenders.
– Not a clinical finisher at this point with his head or foot. Very one-footed, depends on right foot.
Physical
+ Good pace and acceleration on runs can get him in behind defenses.
+ Good lower body strength, tough to knock off. Really digs in when playing with his back to goal.
– Underwhelming vertical. Often is outjumped and loses the majority of his aerial battles with central defenders.
Technical
– Poor touch on his passes. Restricted to passing quickly and short.
– Below average heading ability. Hasn’t developed consistent accuracy with his head shots.
– Limited when dribbling in space and at defenders 1-on-1. Lacks playmaking ability.
– Still developing his finishing ability. Needs to improve composure in 1-on-1 situations and efforts from medium to long range.
Mental
+ Uses physicality well and stays active to make runs. Wins attacking duels and physical battles through determination.
– Needs to improve his speed of thought in the run of play. Only sees what is in front of him.
Tactical
+ Brings the skillset to either hold the ball up or stretch defenses with his speed. Modern #9 with the flexibility to play alone up top or in the middle of a three-forward line.
+ Developing into a real penalty box threat. Knack for getting on the end of crosses and pouncing on loose balls.
– Hasn’t developed the ability to be an asset defensively. Aggressive but needs more focus on his aggression.
Statistical Analysis
When it comes to strikers, finishing and shooting are always going to be a focus. Here is how Moussa stacks up against his competition. Rankings are from the 2019-20 French Ligue 2 season and includes 81 strikers who played a minimum of 431 minutes:
| Statistic | Amount | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 7 | T-13th |
| xG | 5.73 | 19th |
| Goals/90 | 0.32 | T-33rd |
| Assists | 2 | T-12th |
| Shots on Target % | 38.46% | T-42nd |
| Goal Conversion % | 17.95% | 24th |
Moussa certainly finds himself in dangerous situations and is active enough to gain opportunities. However, he sends many efforts high or wide of goal and fails to test the goalkeeper enough. His goal conversion rate is boosted by his opportunistic goals where he is able to poach on loose balls in the box. The shots on target is a better indicator of how Moussa can waste chances that require a better and more clever shot.
Moussa often plays in a #9 role that asks him to hold the ball, win aerial duels, and lay the ball off to playmakers. Here are how he looks when it comes to having the ball at his feet or head:
| Statistic | Amount | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Dribbles/90 | 3.58 | T-36th |
| Dribble Success % | 49.37% | 39th |
| Offensive Duels/90 | 14.12 | 14th |
| Offense Duel Won % | 28.53 | 69th |
| Pass Accuracy (%) | 77.48% | 24th |
| Aerial Duels/90 | 4.84 | 48th |
| Aerial Duels Won (%) | 31.78% | 56th |
A large amount of offensive duels indicates that Moussa engages with defenders and can be a handful, but his efficiency percentage shows he has plenty of work to do. He is not an efficient dribbler and lacks the versatility to play on the wing due to limited playmaking ability. While Moussa is capable at laying the ball off, the statistics relating to his skill in the air leaves a lot to be desired. Overall, Djitté’s skillset as a target man is very much in the process of development.
Evaluation: Needs more time at his current level
Djitté has the physical tools and the look of a number 9 forward, but there is still a long way to go before he can contribute in that position at a higher level. Moussa’s most valuable traits are his strength and ability to hold the ball up when playing with his back to goal. His goal scoring instincts are continuing to develop, but he has a talent for being opportunistic when he is in the box.
However, Djitté at this point has much room for development. His ability in the air is underwhelming for his size, with him losing far too many aerial duels. His vision and technical ability are very limited. While Djitté shows finishing potential, he still lacks composure and needs to put more efforts on target. There are positive signs and Djitté has the potential to perhaps develop into a top-division striker in Europe, but consistent playing time at this level is what he needs right now.