Name: Diadie Samassékou
D.O.B: January 11, 1996
Nationality: Mali
Club: Red Bull Salzburg
Number: 8
Position: defensive midfield
Height: 5 foot 7 inches | 175cm
Strengths: tackling | interceptions | positioning | stamina | dribbling | long passing | vision | consistency | tactical discipline
Weaknesses: shooting | fouling
Play Style
A tenacious and industrial midfielder that almost never puts a foot wrong. Sitting at the heart of the midfield, Samassékou has an important role in both defence and offence. The Malian’s positioning, as well as his incredible interception and tackling ability, allows him to break up attacks and get his side on the front foot. When retrieving possession, he tends to place a foot either side of his opponent to prevent lateral movement and force them towards their own goal. Although, this is often deemed as an illegal approach. When the ball is situated in the defensive third, Samassékou offers himself as a passing option and to receive the ball on the turn where he can showcase his passing ability, producing a well-hit diagonal pass into the path of the full-backs adventuring forward.
Honours
FIFA Under-20 World Cup bronze: 2015
ÖFB-Cup: 2016/17
Ö. Bundesliga: 2016/17 | 2017/18
Malian Player of the Year: 2017
