Johan Bakayoko is a victim of his own success – Voetbal International

WWhile it has often been a question of either Johan Bakayoko or Ivan Perisic on the PSV flanks in recent weeks, the absence of Noa Lang against FC Groningen opens the possibility for both wingers to start. For Bakayoko, this is a new opportunity to regain his top form from last season.

Because despite the current sentiment surrounding Bakayoko, don’t forget that the 21-year-old right front had a particularly dominant season last season. The young Belgian was at the top of every important list of scores.

Dribbling? Bakayoko did that like no other in 2023/24. Almost two hundred times he moved the game at least ten meters forward with the ball at his feet. The only Eredivisie player who even came close to such a production as a dribbler earned a transfer of millions to Lille.

Depth? There too, Bakayoko had no equal in statistical terms last year. No fewer than 434 times he received a pass that moved the play forward at least ten meters. Only three players – of which only Daan Rots is currently still active in the Eredivisie – achieved 60 percent of that production last season.

Then reward all that dribbling and sprinting with rock-solid returns? Bakayoko also managed that very nicely. No winger was involved in more Eredivisie goals than him last season as a scorer or shooter.

Wingers Eredivisie, 2023/24

Bakayoko’s struggle to replicate that 2023-24 dominance this season stems from two issues. Remarkably, both problems stem from his success in the previous year.