It’s been quite the week for Samuel Umtiti, and one that the 22-year old will hope ends on a high as France aim to put an end to Iceland’s remarkable Euro 2016 campaign.
Having agreed a deal to make the move from Lyon to Barcelona for a fee of €25m, the defender will link up with his new teammates after the tournament has finished but until then he has a job to do. Having not been included in the initial 23-man squad, it took two injuries to fellow centre-backs for Umtiti to receive a call-up from Didier Deschamps.
Having seemingly been the manager’s seventh or eighth choice a little over two months ago, the youngster now finds himself in line to make his senior international debut in a European Championship quarter-final. Indeed, his emergence as the first in line to partner Laurent Koscielny on Sunday in the absence of the suspended Adil Rami is yet another snub for Eliaquim Mangala.
The Manchester City man divides opinions to say the least but it’s fair to say he’s not impressed Deschamps this summer. Having initially been called up to the squad ahead of Jeremy Mathieu - forced out through injury - Rami and Umtiti, Mangala is yet to really be considered for action. Indeed, the apparent decision to hand Umtiti his first cap suggests a real lack of faith in the City man.
However, while opting for the Lyon youngster is a gamble, it’s a calculated one and could easily pay off. Indeed, the fact that a team of Barcelona’s calibre have been tracking Umtiti for some time before finally getting their man should be evidence enough that he is a defender of superb potential.
Whilst still incredibly young for a player of his position, Umtiti has already built up a very impressive amount of experience. Handed his debut under Remi Garde as a teenager, the former Lyon boss had no qualms whatsoever in entrusting Umtiti with a key role at the heart of the defence. Since making his league debut as an 18-year old, he has gone on to start 128 league matches in the space of just over four years, as well as amassing experience of both the Europa and Champions League.
Far from the finished article, with Deschamps showing clear reservations over the youngster in the past, Umtiti’s progress in the last year in particular has earned him a dream move and the chance to play a part in what the home fans will hope is another successful major tournament campaign on home soil.
Not the tallest of defenders, and indeed considerably shorter than centre-back rival Mangala in les Bleus’ set-up, Umtiti has developed an understanding of how to use his strength and better anticipate the aerial ball. It’s something that may well be tested against an Iceland side renowned for their threat from set pieces, not least Aron Gunnarsson’s long throw, and a reason why some feel Mangala could be a better option.
However, there have been numerous occasions for his club that the Manchester City defender’s height has counted for little given his propensity to switch off and lose his marker in big matches. It’s something that Umtiti must avoid, but in terms of his ability to stand up to an aerial battle, the 22-year old has made exceptional progress.
Indeed, the 96 aerial duels he won last season ranked 15th in Ligue 1 and of over 200 players to compete in at least 50 duels, Umititi ranked among the top ten in the league in terms of success rate (73.3%). When considering the youngster won just 43 aerial duels the season previous, ranking way down in 77th under the same parameters in terms of success rate (57.3%), Umtiti’s improvements in that department are abundantly clear.
Given that his ability on the deck has rarely been questioned, there’s little surprise that the Lyon academy graduate has enjoyed such a rise to prominence. It’s his composure in possession that no doubt attracted the interest of his new club after all.
As Lyon changed approach under the tutelage of Bruno Genesio last season, Umtiti was encouraged to pass out from the back more often and has proven to be a very capable ball-playing centre-back. His average of 64.3 passes per game ranked among the top ten players in Ligue 1 last season, with an 87.2% accuracy the highest he achieved in a Lyon shirt. With Marc Bartra having left the club and Javier Mascherano among those linked with a move away, the fact that Barcelona identified Umtiti as a player capable of carrying on their tradition of technically gifted centre-backs should come as little surprise.
While his ability to eat up the ground on opposition strikers is unlikely to be required against Iceland, Umtiti’s strength and reading of the game both on the ground and in the air should stand France in good stead. The true test for the Barca-bound defender will be his ability to cope with the pressure of such a huge occasion - something he will need to get used to at Camp Nou. After all, making your debut in what would be one of international football’s biggest giant killings should Iceland upset the odds once more would weigh heavily on Umtiti’s shoulders.
Time will tell if Deschamps and indeed Barcelona’s faith in the defender is justified but there’s no question that Umtiti has all the tools and potential to emerge as a real gem for both club and country. His performance against Iceland will be closely monitored by the managers of both.
Is Umtiti the right choice to start for France against Iceland? Let us know in the comments below
