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By• Patrick
Brazil is a nation without a shortage of young talent and has seemingly been blessed with another elite potential star in 20-year-old Bordeaux attacker, Malcom. Not many across world football have had brighter starts to the season than the winger scoring 5 and assisting 4 in 9 league starts, averaging a goal contribution in the league every 88 minutes, bettering the likes of Kylian Mbappe (105) and Marco Asensio (123). His blistering statistics don't stop there with an average match rating this season of 8.10 is the 5th best out of Europe top 5 leagues, ranking above the some of the world's best in Robert Lewandowski (7.55) and Cristiano Ronaldo (7.85). He has already been attracting the attention of Europe's top clubs and his amazing form doesn't look like it will be stopping anytime soon, so what really is all the fuss about?
Born in São Paulo he debuted for Corinthians at 17 and became a starter for them on the left-hand-side the following year, scoring 5 and assisting 4 in the clubs triumphant 2015 league winning campaign before being snapped up by Bordeaux shortly before his 19th birthday. At first the Selecao man was used sporadically on either wing before nailing down a starter spot on the right in the 2016/17 season and was the biggest contributor towards goals in the league; racking up 7 goals and 5 assists helping the French side to a sixth place finish. The inverted winger has a style of play similar to Eden Hazard and his ‘hero’ Neymar in that he isn't afraid to show flair or his agility to beat a man, will always prefer to cut inside and his low centre of gravity has meant he is the most fouled player in Europe this season (joint with Neymar). Similarly to those two, Malcolm has shown especially in his excellent start to this campaign that he has a variety of goals in his locker, showcasing his ability to score cutbacks, free kicks, long-range finishes and one-on-ones; showing maturity and composure in front of goal beyond his years. His creativity doesn't just stop with goals as the majority of his assists have come from pinpoint crossing, a trait seeked by many coaches at the top level.
With ambitions set upon next year's world cup: saying it ‘would be a dream’ to don the yellow and green of Brazil on the biggest stage the promising youngster is keeping his feet fairly grounded, receiving plaudits from coach Jocelyn Gourvennec of how he has carried himself off the field saying “He has even been acting as a translator for his new Brazilian team-mates. He is not at all affected by everything that is being said. Even if he is still young, he is also very mature". Recently Malcom showed his lovable, childlike instants after a game against big-spenders PSG by getting a selfie with Neymar saying "It was a great moment for my family, and for me too!"
(Neymar & Malcom)
With the young talent being brought to the forefront this year with the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele both making big money moves there is no reason to suggest Malcom won't be the next youngster to make the step up to one of Europe’s elite. Ligue 1 has proven to be an incredible breeding ground for young talent, shown no better than the names mentioned prior both bursting onto the scene at Monaco and Stade Rennais respectively. There has been no player aged 21 or under that can compare with the performances he has been throwing up with only Gabriel Jesus netting more within the same age bracket.
Malcom is single-handedly carrying his team up the league, directly involved in a league goal in all but 1 of his 9 appearances and has all the hallmarks of a world class winger. His creativity, flair, decision-making and deadly eye for goal shape him to be one of the most enjoyable players to watch at the moment and if continues to set the league alight he may be lining up alongside his hero Neymar for the Selecao in next summer in Russia.