M'Baye Niang- The new Thierry Henry on Arsenal radar
Club: SM Caen
Nationality:France
Age:16
Height: 1.84 m / 6.04 ft
Weight: 74 kg / 162 lbs
Position: Striker
Background and History
When he was 13, Niang was discovered by Caen scouts, while playing for Poissy's youth team, after receiving a tip off about a youngster with a great physical presence and technical skills.
Niang arrived at Caen's youth academy in 2007, gradually promoted from the Under-17 level to the Under-19's, eventually earning a promotion to Caen's reserves squad when he was only 15.
On February 2011, Niang was signed to his first professional contract with Caen, signing a three-year-contract with the club, after highly impressing in the reserves team with a tally of 5 goals in 16 matches.
Strengths
Niang is a very athletic forward, who can play on both flanks and at all attacking positions, previously participating as a lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
The teen prodigy is a very fast attacker, who is also very physical, having great composure and good movement on the field, with excellent technical abilities.
Niang's first touch over the ball is phenomenal, as well as his one touch passes and double passes, with outstanding shooting abilities towards the goal.
Weaknesses
The French youngster still needs to receive more experience, especially in his decision making- although his instincts are in the right place, he may sometimes be too quick to pass or otherwise not accurate in his passes.
Mentality
Niang is very confident for his age, hardly showing any fear in his first steps as a senior, already scoring a goal in his third Ligue 1 match.
Although, he is not light headed and seems to be concentrating on his on-field development, Niang is a hard working player who is committed to his goals.
But being so young and successful, he may sometimes be quite impatient when he does not immediately receive his way.
Current Situation
Signed at Caen until the summer of 2014, after his successful plunging into the senior squad last season- Niang could become a true force for Caen next season (especially after the departure of Youssef El Arbi), who will hope to improve their statistics after ending last season in the 15th place in the league.
Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Juventus have all reportedly been linked with the teenager, who was slapped with an €8M estimated asking price (although if a true offer comes through he may sell for less).
Arsenal are reportedly leading the race for Niang, with Arsene Wenger identifying Niang as "the new Thierry Henry" and after the recent signing of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlin, with the possible addition of M'Baye- the Gunners may rest easy for many years to come.
Niang is due to play up front next season alongside new signing Pierre-Alain Frau and should he continue his development his market value can only rise.
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