Takumi Minamino came into the limelight after impressing for RB Salzburg in the UEFA Champions League. This earned him a move to Liverpool in January 2020. Despite winning the Premier League with the Reds in his first season, the Japanese international failed to make his mark at Anfield. He failed to play regularly for the club and was loaned out to Southampton for a brief spell. In 2022, Minamino decided to take another step in his career and find regular football.
The 28-year-old Japanese midfielder signed for French club AS Monaco in the summer of 2022. He took time to settle at the club and is now proving to be the difference-maker in the squad. Let’s take a look at some of the stats that show how Minamino is finding his rhythm in France.
In Minamino’s first season at Monaco, he played 18 league games and four Europa League ties. This season, he has featured in the first six matches and started all of them. He plays as an attacking midfielder and as a right forward. The Japanese international has taken 23 overall touches inside the penalty box, and this shows his threat in the attack.
The first season in French football was a rather disappointing one for this talented forward. He only scored one goal and provided three assists. The above viz shows all the shot attempts made by the player in Ligue 1, the UEFA Europa League, and the UEFA Champions League. He managed to hit the target eight times and find the back of the net once. Minamino missed the target from close range as well.
Getting in his groove
This season, Minamino is finding his touch on the field. He already has three goals to his name. The Japanese international has taken 12 shots this season, and nine were on target.
Takumi Minamino has already matched his three assists from last season. He has six shot assists to his name, with four passes landing in the penalty box.
Takumi Minamino also has the ability to get past the opposition defenders with his skills and pace. The Japanese forward has recorded a dribble success rate of 35.3% and won 12 fouls for his team. A few of these fouls have been won in dangerous attacking areas.
The 28-year-old Japanese forward scored three goals and provided three assists in the first four games of the season. In the last two games, Minamino has failed to make a mark. After failing to qualify for Europe this season, Monaco are aiming to get into the top three and qualify for the Champions League. Minamino has a huge task to accomplish and has made a decent start to the season.
Visuals via TFA data viz engine