Ama’s a raw talent with a real heart
COVENTRY City beat off competition from League One rivals Bristol Rovers to snap up Walsall striker Amadou Bakayoko.
Both clubs met Walsall’s asking price for the 22-year-old striker but West Midlands-based Bakayoko is understood to prefer the short drive down the M6 to the trek to Bristol.
The Sierra Leone-born forward recently became a father and not wanting to uproot his family undoubtedly played a part in his decision.
Walsall and Coventry have been tipped to compete at opposite ends of the League One table this season so it begs the question: why would they sell?
Bakayoko – known simply as “Ama” by his close friends and team-mates – joined Walsall’s academy in his midteens after swapping the Netherlands for the Black Country.
Walsall signed the striker for their youth team and academy manager at the time Neil Woods often commented on the striker’s raw potential.
Like many footballers, particularly attackers, who aren’t professionally coached from a young age, Bakayoko was excitingly unpredictable, yet frustrating in equal measure.
Dean Smith handed Bakayoko his
Amadou Bakayoko has issued a heartfelt message to Walsall fans – and declared his delight at joining Coventry City.
The 22-year-old striker is in line for his Sky Blues debut against AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.
Shortly after he was confirmed as a Coventry player, Bakayoko posted the following message on his Twitter page: “The last few days have been the hardest in my career to date, debut in one of the Saddlers’ end-ofseason matches in 2014.
Bakayoko’s speed and enthusiasm excited Walsall’s travelling fans at Port Vale, but they also saw him miss a couple of golden chances as their team lost 1-0.
Despite Smith handing Bakayoko his debut, the now Brentford head coach wasn’t entirely convinced by the young forward.
Bakayoko was often overlooked as Smith handed chances to fellow rookie forward Jordan Murphy when his senior strikers weren’t available.
It was Jon Whitney who took Bakayoko under his wing and made it his own personal mission to make a success of the striker.
Whitney’s trust in Bakayoko was sometimes to his own detriment as fans became annoyed at the forward’s lack of goals. Bakayoko’s League One departing the club after six years at Walsall.
“I have learnt and made great friends and would like to thank all the staff members who have helped me along the years.
“Also the supporters who have been supporting me through ups and downs, mixed emotions etc. The club will always have a place in my heart for giving me that platform to score my first professional goal and pass record with the Saddlers reads nine goals in 93 games.
It’s those numbers which have seen current boss Dean Keates bring in his own forwards and allow Bakayoko to negotiate a transfer to the Sky Blues.
Coventry are not getting a player who will instantly score loads of goals. However, many Walsall fans believe Bakayoko’s career is on the verge of lift off, which is why there are a few groans on social media.
He’s far quicker than people give him credit for and it’s that speed which gives him goalscoring opportunities. Unfortunately, he’s got a habit of squandering them.
He’s very left-footed and often works better in a two-man attack rather than playing as a lone frontman. Bakayoko’s 6ft 3in frame suggests he’d be a battering ram of a centre-forward, but he’s anything but. 100 appearances. Thank you for everything. I wish the club all the best in the future.
“I’m now looking forward to my new challenge joining Coventry City. I couldn’t be happier to join such a big club. I’m hoping to come and take the club back where it belongs with its amazing support. (I’m) hoping we can achieve something great together. Exciting times ahead and I can’t wait to get started. “
Bakayoko thrives on balls down the channels and into his feet, although his first touch can be called into question on occasions.
Strikers are often competent crossers and that can certainly be said of Bakayoko, whose work out wide to feed his strike partners at Walsall often went under the radar.
As well as being pretty nifty with a football, Bakayoko has always come across as a thoroughly decent human being.
A call from his grandmother in Africa in 2016 inspired Bakayoko to team up with a group of friends and support homeless charities in Walsall.
Bakayoko has actively tried to help those less fortunate than himself by selling T-shirts with the slogan “Live, Love, Laugh” stitched across them and providing something he refers to as “blessing bags”. HERE’S what Walsall fans are saying ahead of Amadou Bakayoko’s move across the Midlands...
Russell (@caldy003): “I’d keep him. Some decent coaching and learning from experienced forwards around him should do him the world of good.”
Paul Brookes (@ Bloxwichbrummie): “I think it sad that now he finally has a strike partner after a year of being battered on his own, we sell him ????? Our loss, their gain for sure, he will come good!”
Dave (@WfcDave): “I hope this lad turns it around, I really do. I personally think he works hard.”
bails (@Alexbailey_wfc): “Shocking. Works hard just can’t score and has a horrible first touch.”
tom elphee (@ tomthesaddler): “I reckon a move will do him good! Has actually scored a couple of really good goals but many of our fans forget about that conveniently.”
Paul (@ptwfc71): “Got bags of potential. Which is what we’ve been saying for four years. It is definitely time for him to see if he can fulfill that elsewhere because he hasn’t been able to consistently produce here. Could be the best or the worst money ever spent. Hope he makes it.”
@saddlergirl (@saddlergirl2): “Hasn’t set the world alight at #WalsallFc. Def not a fans favourite. But hope he can prove us wrong and move on elsewhere as he’s a good bloke.”
Luke Gibbons (@ LukeGibbons19): “Just needs confidence again in my opinion, fresh start should do him good.”
Simon Ward (@s111ssw): “Baka has bags of potential and skill, he is much better with the ball in front of him. Has scored some quality goals for walsall, just not enough. Struggled as a lone front man, not strong enough presence and poor in the air. Think he would do much better on the wing.”