Player Focus: Astounding Amavi Continuing Steady Rise to Stardom

Monaco may have secured the bragging rights following their 1-0 win at Nice in Friday’s Derby de la Côte d’Azur, but one player who deserved to exit the field with his head held high for Les Aiglons was young Jordan Amavi. Awarded the WhoScored man of the match award - his 5th of the season - with a rating of 8.04, it was the latest in a long line of standout performances and after breaking into the Nice team last term, he clearly has not looked back after securing a regular starting berth.

Amavi has started every league game this campaign and has missed just 7 minutes of Ligue 1 action for Claude Puel’s side, that coming in the 1-0 defeat at Evian in November. The visiting team had gone 1-0 down with 14 minutes to play and it was Amavi who was sacrificed for attacker Alexy Bosetti as the team from south France pushed for an equaliser. That is not to say Amavi disappointed in the defeat at the Parc des Sports Annecy; his WhoScored rating (7.71) was better than every other Nice player in the loss. 

His performances at left-back this season have garnered an average rating of 7.81; only Ligue 1’s top scorer Alexandre Lacazette (7.89) can better that. With plenty of focus on the young French stars cutting the mould for their respective clubs, Amavi is the latest in a long line of defenders who had shown signs of great potential and look to be realising it, too. 

Centre-backs Raphael Varane, Mamadou Sakho and Eliaquim Magala, to name three, have all won plaudits having broken into the national team at a young age. At left-back meanwhile, there is an ongoing battle over who is the best available to Didier Deschamps. Lucas Digne, Layvin Kurzawa and Benjamin Mendy, along with Amavi, could all be vying for a starting spot in France's future back four. For the time being, Digne and Kurzawa are the two preferred left-backs in Deschamps’ squad, with Mendy and Amavi both holding down places in the U21 squad.  

However, it will not be long before the Nice left-back is a regular for the senior side. As far as breakthrough years go, Amavi is playing above expectations. What perhaps stands out most about the 20-year-old is his attacking capabilities. The modern day full-back is not only required to perform his defensive duties, but provide an offensive outlet for his side on his flank. Supporting and overlapping the player ahead of him and providing another dynamic to the attack is essential, especially with the focus lots of modern wingers playing on their 'opposite' wings.  

Amavi performs these offensive duties with aplomb. An average of 2 dribbles per league match is the best of every Nice player and ranks among the top 15 overall in Ligue 1. His 76.5 touches per Ligue 1 game - the most of all Nice players - highlights the onus on him to be in possession as much as possible. His teammates have identified how significant an attacking threat he carries and despite Amavi's tender years, the Nice players will look to him to bring the ball forward, which has helped the left-back thrive. 

This natural ability to carry the ball up the pitch has helped Amavi gain a WhoScored strength of ‘dribbling’, with the youngster expected to push forward and instigate attacks at any given opportunity. Comfortable on either his left or right foot adds to an air of unpredictability in his approach, with Amavi capable of either beating his opponent on the left before putting in a cross into the box or cutting inside and driving at the heart of the opposition defence.  

His attacking ability is a highlight, but like any good full-back, he needs to exhibit the defensive side of his game. His 211 tackles and interceptions combined - a figure that is better than any other player in Europe's top 5 leagues this season - suggests Amavi carries out his defensive obligations to an exceptional standard. When factoring in his average of 2.1 aerial duels won per match, it's clear the left-back does not cower away from physical side of the French game. 

A WhoScored weakness of 'concentration' is perhaps the one blemish on his already impressive CV. Only Benjamin Mendy (5) and Jean-Philippe Gbamin (4) have committed more errors that have led to a shot than Amavi (3) of all outfielders in Ligue 1 this season. However, this is one side of his game that can be worked on and improved with further first team football and the right manager to help the youngster realise his potential.

His progression to become, perhaps, the most formidable left-back in France’s top tier has been nothing short of spectacular. Amavi possesses the talent to make it as one of the finest in his position in world football, with his performances for Nice winning him countless admirers and deservedly so. He may have competition for a starting berth for the national team, but that has driven Amavi to churn out numerous exceptional displays as he continues his rise to stardom.

Do you think Jordan Amavi has what it takes to become one of the best left-backs in football? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below