Scout Report: What Karim Adeyemi can add to Barcelona’s attack

Karim Adeyemi has been making headlines in recent transfer reports. Barcelona’s interest in the RB Salzburg youngster has been confirmed. He could be on his way to Camp Nou next year.

Player’s Background

One thing has always been synonymous with Adeyemi right from his formative years. That is the ability to impress. He passed through the youth systems of Bayern Munich and Unterhaching in Germany. RB Salzburg later picked him up in 2018. The Austrian side would transfer him to their feeder team immediately. Yet, Adeyemi’s impressive performance wouldn’t keep him in the feeder team for long.    

Rewardingly, the intention to impress has seen Adeyemi develop into a prominent youngster in the last 2 seasons. He has filled the shoes of Erling Haaland and Patson Daka. These are top players who left RB Salzburg in recent seasons. Adeyemi’s performance resulted in a call up by the German national team. And all these, along with 15 goals this season, have made top clubs’ interest in Adeyemi intensify. Barcelona and Dortmund continue to show interest in the youngster.

What Adeyemi can add to Barcelona’s attack

As a left-footer, Adeyemi prefers playing as a centre-forward. But he can also play on both wings. This could be helpful to Xavi Hernandez. The German’s pace and dribbling ability will be crucial in stretching the opposition defence. It will also help in creating space for other teammates.    

Also, there is a huge advantage if Adeyemi is used as a number 9. Centre-forwards at Barcelona always have to work in tight spaces. And for a striker whose instinct is to play through the middle in attack, it is possible that Adeyemi will be a successful signing. His positioning often turns him into a reliable target man. His accuracy and ability to convert chances consolidate these abilities. Moreover, he is good with his head and often draws foul in the box. He has 11 league goals this season from 22 shots on target.    

Adeyemi’s arrival at Camp Nou will not only guarantee versality and goals. It will also provide the team with another playmaker in attack. The striker is a good passer who splits defences with his passes. He is a team player who is quick in his thinking and decision making. These are qualities that can make a striker thrive at Barcelona.

Weaknesses

There are a few weaknesses in Adeyemi’s style of play. These are all down to inexperience. One of the weaknesses is wanting to take defenders on instead of looking at other option. Again, Adeyemi doesn’t get involved in too many passes as expected. He only has 200 passes in 13 games this season. A team like Barcelona may not tolerate this. His defensive contributions are also minimal. But these weaknesses could disappear as he gets older.    

Conclusion

If there is a right time to get Adeyemi, it is next year. Barcelona are in a delicate financial state. They can only get players who are not too expensive. As a result, Adeyemi is a viable option when looking at how he can help the team. A player like him will help create competition in attack. It will also secure the club’s future in attack to some extent.