By Ben Bocsák
He burst into the penalty space with the Crimson Devils’ defenders trailing in his wake and thumped the ball into the again of the web to herald a dream begin for Brighton on the ‘Theatre of Desires.’
By scoring Minteh turned the primary Gambian participant in historical past to attain in opposition to Man United including one more accolade to what’s already an achieved profession for the 20-year-old.
He’s the youngest Gambian to attain within the Champions League, the youngest ever to seem within the Premier League and the youngest to seem within the African Cup of Nations.
Minteh has the potential to grow to be among the best Gambian gamers for the reason that late Biri Biri, nevertheless it didn’t at all times appear that approach.
As a teenager Minteh was labelled ‘The Gambian Messi’ in his homeland after his exploits with Steve Biko FC whereas enjoying in Gambia’s prime flight.
Minteh attracted the eye of scouts, and he was given a possibility to show himself in Europe at Danish facet, Odense, however initially he didn’t present sufficient to get the contract he craved.
“Yankuba got here to a trial twice earlier than we signed him. The primary time in June 2021 he got here for a month,” Ivan Poulsen, the membership’s U19 coach explains to FotMob.
“At first, he got here with one other African participant. Yankuba was a really quick participant, quickly quick. However after the primary time we nonetheless doubted if he was ok for the environment, so we requested to see him once more,” Poulsen says.
In reality, at the moment, Poulsen and his recruitment group noticed extra potential in Minteh’s compatriot:
“After the primary trial we had been extra within the different African participant, we thought he slot in higher, and he was extra mature. He appeared a greater match.”
However Odense had been keen to offer Minteh a second probability six months after his preliminary trial interval. He arrived on the membership in February 2022, throughout a chilly Danish winter.
“Earlier than the second trial, we gave Yankuba some suggestions, some issues to work on his technical and his ending expertise and on his perspective,” Poulsen says.
“When he first got here right here his agent informed us he was known as the ‘Messi of Gambia’ so he thought he was Messi typically. We wished him to be a bit extra all the way down to earth.
“However then he got here again with a much-changed perspective, and he had labored on his ending and technical expertise. His first contact particularly he improved very effectively. After the second interval, Minteh was the perfect participant for us, and we determined to signal him.”
Initially, Minteh linked-up with Odense’s U19 group enjoying underneath Poulsen nevertheless it was instantly apparent he wouldn’t keep at that degree for a very long time.
“He was very decided to get to the primary group,” Poulsen explains.
“After the primary match within the U19 league, he scored inside 37 minutes with a primary time shot after which within the second match, he scored in opposition to Brøndby away.
“It was an unimaginable purpose. He scored in a counterattack the place he acquired the ball halfway in our personal half and he ran like Messi and Maradona previous the entire Brøndby group dominating them after which he scored.”
With performances like that, Minteh’s dedication to get into the primary group can be rapidly rewarded.
“After simply two appearances we introduced him to the primary group as a result of he was dominating a lot within the U19 league,” Poulsen says.
And Minteh didn’t hesitate making an impression within the first group both.
“He scored the matchwinner on his debut in entrance of the followers within the final minute in opposition to FC København and he ran to have fun with them,” Poulsen recollects.
“After that he was a fan favorite. He’s the sort of participant who cheers with the followers, he gestures to the followers. That’s what the followers like, they like a participant who has that liveliness.”
The remainder is historical past, inside months Minteh can be noticed by a few of Europe’s greatest golf equipment. His path has taken him to Newcastle and Feyenoord earlier than touchdown at Brighton within the Premier League.
In England, his begin hasn’t been as spectacular as in Denmark. After registering the help for Brighton’s opening purpose of the Premier League season, Minteh has been out and in of the facet.
However he’s making constructive impression. As per FotMob’s knowledge he ranks within the 78.6 percentile for targets per 90 (0.37) and within the 71.8 percentile for assists per 90 (0.25).
He stands out along with his capability on the ball finishing 2.47 profitable dribbles per 90 which ranks him within the 81.6 percentile.
And he’s well-suited to Brighton’s counter-pressing sport placing in his fair proportion of defensive duties, rating within the 94.2 percentile for possession received within the opposition’s ultimate third (1.36 per 90).
“He at all times will get in conditions that may be very harmful for the opponents’ groups. They at all times had a tough time making an attempt to comprise him for an entire match,” Poulsen says.
“Defensively, due to his pace he is excellent at capitalising on a mistake.’
A purpose at Outdated Trafford was one other essential step in his growth. He nonetheless has an extended option to go however Poulsen predicts a shiny future forward.
“He’s such a stunning particular person. I feel he has an enormous profession forward of himself. He nonetheless visits us, and he stated hi there. He’s a particular character and he lives life very a lot in his personal approach.
“His perspective and his persona will shine by way of. He will probably be himself. The Premier League is one other degree, so it’s thrilling to comply with him,” Poulsen concludes.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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