Breaking Down M’Baye Niang’s Qualities and Skill-Set
M’Baye Niang. Dazzling technical ability and creativity inside an NBA physique with Olympic sprinter athleticism.
Niang really is just like that. A center forward by trade, the French attacker has so much skill and natural talent that he’s been able to play out of position as a wing or second striker for AC Milan without any problems.
In addition to all of the speed and trickery, Niang is also an elite passer and dead ball specialist. When Mario Balotelli first game to Milan several years ago after being at Inter Milan and Manchester City, Niang showed the ability to harmonize with Balotelli and attack opposing defenses like bandits. This ability to associate and combine with Balotelli shows a mind that understands football and knows how to help and be helped by talented teammates.
The one area where Niang needs to improve is converting more of his individual creativity into goals. Niang can certainly score and be a threat for the entire 90 minutes, but there is lots of room for capitalizing on all of that skill and audacity.
The French forward is borderline unplayable as his speed and skill are too much to expect any defender to really contain. Since Niang hasn’t harnessed all of his powers yet, his scoring and assist stats haven’t been noteworthy. The lack of numerous goals and assists is attributable to simply not being clinical enough in the final third. When Niang sharpens up his finishing, he’s the only one stopping him.
Unlike Balotelli, Niang has no issues with discipline or emotional control. Like Balotelli, Niang can do everything with both feet, and he can smoothly execute difficult tricks that most footballers cannot pull off against other professionals in a game setting. Niang also excels at shielding the ball and bodying off defenders without fouling. Niang has a slender built, but there is a lot of muscle and power in his tall frame.
No one in world football runs with the speed and effortless grace of Niang, and this is coupled with a expert level of mastery of the ball. The Frenchman is just a speed merchant; he is an elite attacking talent that is only 21 years old.
A refined Niang will be a rival or partner for Karim Benzema in the French attack. Earning a spot on France’s UEFA Euro 2016 roster should be a goal for Niang.
M’Baye Niang checks all the boxes for a forward: skill, creativity, activity, speed, size, passing. and scoring ability. His time should be soon.