This time four years ago, Yankuba Minteh was playing football in Gambia, sleeping on the floor at his parents’ house alongside his seven siblings. Today, he is one of the most exciting prospects in the Premier League.
The Brighton forward’s rise has been rapid, but certainly not easy. This season, he’s had to prove himself in the best league in the world, in a vastly inexperienced side with the youngest manager in history.
It’s safe to say that despite all this, he’s made his mark in blue and white this season. Let’s take a look at his campaign so far.
Biggest Improvement
What’s been really encouraging to see is that Minteh’s ability out of possession has massively improved since the start of the season.
Throughout pre-season and the start of the 2024/25 campaign, Minteh offered plenty going forward but, when Brighton didn’t have the ball, he failed to support his full-back defensively.
However, his defensive work rate is what makes him a fan favourite nowadays. According to FBRef, Minteh makes 8.57 defensive actions per 90 and ranks in the top 1% of Premier League wingers for tackles won and tackles made in the defensive third.
He uses his pace to get back quickly and double up on the opposing winger. With Brighton’s injury troubles at right back this season, Minteh’s help has prevented his side from being overrun in this area.
Embed from Getty ImagesA lack of presence in midfield
Unlike his teammate Kaoru Mitoma, who picks up the ball deep in the middle third and drives towards goal, Minteh likes to stay high and almost avoids the midfield entirely.
The Gambia international plays off the last defender, conserving his energy for when he’s in more dangerous areas. This season he ranks in the bottom 3% of Premier League wingers for touches in the midfield third.
However, he receives 9.54 progressive passes per 90, suggesting that he is always sitting in the advanced areas, rather than dropping deep and getting involved in build up play.
Embed from Getty ImagesMinteh also ranks poorly for overall touches and passes, further highlighting his knack for coming to life in the key moments instead of having lots of the ball in various phases of play.
He has the lowest pass completion rate amongst wingers in the league with 61.3% and has just 40.84 touches per 90, according to FBRef.
At the same time, he ranks in the top 7% for carries into the penalty box. When Minteh is on the ball, he uses his few touches to drive into the danger areas and create a clear cut chance for himself or his teammates.
In fact, Minteh ranks top for goal creating actions from take-ons this season with 0.26 per 90.
Embed from Getty ImagesClinical in front of goal
Minteh’s attacking game is characterised by doing little, but doing it right. He doesn’t link play a lot and he doesn’t have loads of shots but when he does link play, he creates a big chance and when he does have a shot, he doesn’t often miss.
This season he ranks in the bottom 20% for shots attempted with just 1.73 per 90, but the top 7% for goals per shot. In the Premier League he has scored five goals from just 27 shots, 13 of which were on target.
The Albion attacker also ranks in the top 8% for his shot on target percentage with 48.1%. As I said, when he does something, he does it right.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhat’s Next?
Minteh has enjoyed an impressive start to his Brighton career this season, notching 11 goal contributions across all competitions. As he continues to grow in an exciting squad, he will surely develop into one of the most electric wingers in the league.
Brighton splashed out big time in the summer, but £33 million for this Gambian superstar could prove to be a bargain.
Embed from Getty ImagesWritten by Isabelle Newnham
INMR FOOTBALL 
Leave a comment