Monaco youngster is thriving at Cercle Brugge

Monaco youngster is thriving at Cercle Brugge

Its fair to say that this season hasn’t been one to remember for Cercle Brugge fans. Just two seasons after qualifying for European football, the side have finished in the bottom four in back to back campaigns. Once again, they will be safe and playing in the Pro League next season, and under Lars Friis, there is plenty to be optimistic about. The manager is four games in and is yet to lose, with the side scoring goals and playing well. Yes, the opposition is the three worst teams in the Pro League, but Cercle Brugge fans deserve something to cheer about.

On the pitch, one of the key players this season has been Monaco loanee Edan Diop. He is a fans favourite, with his clear technical ability and willingness to put a shift in. The winger is also the sides top scorer this season with seven goals, with three assists to match. Diop’s performances for Cercle Brugge this season show exactly why Monaco have been keen to keep the relationship strong between the two sides. It has allowed them to blood players who then either return to Monaco to play or are sold for a decent fee.

Diop, unlike other players who have swapped Monaco for Brugge, had actually made a handful of first team appearances for the Ligue 1 side. Overall, he had played 20 games at senior level, with one goal. However, this had come over a number of seasons. Moving to Cercle Brugge has allowed him to really develop by playing regularly at the senior level. The 21-year-old has started 30 of the 32 league games he has played this season.

For his position, he is one of the more attacking in the Belgian Pro League. According to FotMob’s data, Diop has made more chances than 83% of players in his position in , with more goals than 92%. Goals have come because he has looked to score, with Diop taking more shots than 88% of players in his position in the league.