ALBERT SAMBI LOKONGA — Player Analysis
Already captain at 21 years old, Albert Sambi Lokonga is another exciting prospect to come out of Anderlecht’s excellent academy. The midfielder made his debut in the 2017/18 season and played seven games during that campaign, followed by just eight more in the 2018/19 season, then establishing himself in 2019/20. For the current season, he not only received the armband, but is also standing out as one of the best, if not the best, midfielders in the country, also receiving his first callup to the Belgian national team.
Current head coach, and former player, Vincent Kompany has mostly fielded his team in a 4–2–2–2 system in recent months, and Sambi has played on both sides of the double pivot, normally beside Josh Cullen or, most recently, Adrien Trebel. And to start play, it’s one of the two who drops to join the centre-backs in the first line, either to their sides or between them, while the other positions himself just ahead, taking a 3–1 shape for the buildup:
At times one of the two wide attacking midfielders, namely Anouar Ait El Hadj and Ashimeru, also drops to join this second line. From these positions, Lokonga looks to progress the ball and does so with excellence, displaying great vision to spot short or long forward passes. This season he averages 8.61 progressive passes per 90, with 82.37% accuracy, and 5.27 long passes per 90, with 59.41% accuracy. His efficient passing from the back allows Anderlecht to beat the opposition in order to reach more advanced areas and evade pressure with quality and relative ease:
In fact, Sambi is quite capable when under pressure himself, being able to cleanly evade markers. However, he sometimes puts on a heavy first touch, actually attracting pressure. Still, helped by his 60.2% dribble success rate, it does not bring too many problems. In addition, when space is available, he also offers progressive ball carries, as shown by his 2.23 progressive runs per 90.
Lokonga also occupies more advanced areas and contributes to the attacking threat, drifting all around the deep attacking third to offer passing options and at times driving into the box. Here his excellent vision and passing are once again put to good use. With 1.08 smart passes, 0.5 shot assists, 2.57 passes to the penalty area and 1.39 deep completions per 90, he is capable of spotting teammates in dangerous areas and creating fine opportunities. This season that has also converted into 2 assists from 2.51 expected assists.
All these qualities make him a considerable threat in transitions as well. Bursting forward with the ball at his feet and spotting killer passes to his teammates.
He likes to take shots himself too, mostly from outside the box and, although he is fairly good at it, he often tries them when there are better options available or from somewhat bad positions, wasting the chance. Still, sometimes it pays off, as in two of his three goals this season:
His physicality is another good asset of his. Fast and strong, with elegant long strides and good acceleration, he covers a lot of ground in a short time and has the agility to quickly change directions.
As for the defensive side of his game, Lokonga is at his best when anticipating opponents to cut passes, boosted by his fair pace and excellent game-reading. He averages 5.08 interceptions per 90 and 6.29 possession-adjusted interceptions this season. However he is a bit too hasty when engaging into tackles and should improve his timing.
There are few points to improve, but Sambi is quite the complete package and has a very bright future ahead of him. Regularly impressing in the Belgian Pro League, he is probably going to move to one of the top European leagues sooner rather than later. And the Belgian national team will probably rely on him for years to come. Albert Sambi Lokonga is a fantastic prospect and I fully believe he could become one of the best midfielders in world football in the next few years.
Lucas Barth
