stats by artemds, updated by Interista93
Name: Papa Bouba Diop
Nickname: "the Wardrobe"
Country:
SenegalClub: RC Lens (2002-2004), Fulham F.C. (2004-2007)
Position: *DMF, CMF
Side: RF/BS
Age: 24-28 years (28/01/1978)
Height: 195 cm
Weight: 94 kg
Attack: 69
Defence: 73
Balance: 93
Stamina: 82
Top Speed: 74
Acceleration: 77
Response: 86
Agility: 67
Dribble Accuracy: 81
Dribble Speed: 72
Short Pass Accuracy: 82
Short Pass Speed: 81
Long Pass Accuracy: 77
Long Pass Speed: 77
Shot Accuracy: 72
Shot Power: 89
Shot Technique: 75
Free Kick Accuracy: 64
Curling: 68
Header: 78
Jump: 82
Technique: 79
Aggression: 75
Mentality: 78
Goalkeeper Skills: 50
Team Work: 82
Injury Tolerance: B
Condition: 5
Weak Foot Accuracy: 6
Weak Foot Frequency: 5
Consistency: 5
Growth type: Standard
CARDS:
P15 - Free Roaming
S01 - Marauding
S08 - Slide Tackle
SPECIAL ABILITIES: Reaction - Sliding
Attack/Defence Awareness Card: Defence Minded
INFO:
Diop was a defensive or central midfielder. His career started in 1996 at ASC Diaraf in his native country Senegal. He transferred to Switzerland in 1999, playing for Vevey, Neuchâtel Xamax, and Grasshopper within two and a half years. He signed for Lens on January 2002 and made 59 appearances in two and a half seasons, scoring 9 goals. Afterwards, he had a good experience in England, playing 84 matches for Fulham between 2004 and 2007, scoring 9 goals, and then 72 for Portsmouth between 2007 and 2010. He retired in 2013 after playing for AEK Athens, West Ham United, and Birmingham City. He capped for Senegal 63 times, scoring 11 goals and taking part to the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA World Cup.
Compared to French legend Patrick Vieira, Diop was an excellent holding midfielder who didn't mind joining the attack to attempt the long range shot or a header in the box. Helped by a huge frame and excellent physical strength, he wasn't easy to get past, given that he also possessed remarkable technical abilities for a man of his size. He could protect the ball with good close control and even dribble an opponent when he had the space. He lacked agility and pace on the ball, but he could make effective short strides off the ball. His main asset was probably the ability to recover the ball numerous times during a match thanks to excellent timing and sliding tackle. He also had a good distribution, mainly with his short passes, usually fast and accurate. The same can't be said for his long balls which were slower and less accurate. Diop was also good in the air due to his height and solid jump but wasn't always accurate his headers. Whilst he possessed a powerful shot, it rarely troubled the opposing goalkeepers.
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