Player focus: Mamadou Sakho (PSG)

It’s not very often you see a teenage captain a professional football team.

However, Paris Saint-Germain, who are considered one of the giants of French football and have a fine pedigree in Europe did just that when manager, Paul Le Guen, at the beginning of the 2007-2008 season handed 17-year-old defender, Mamadou Sakho, the captain’s armband on 20 October against Valenciennes FC in his debut league appearance; thus becoming the youngest ever captain in Ligue 1 history.Mamadou Sakho, who was the fourth child of seven, began his career at semi-professional club, Paris FC, who are considered to be one of Paris’ top junior clubs who have a history of nurturing youngsters before the best talent is usually snapped up by city giants, Paris Saint-Germain. Having spent six years at FC Paris, Sakho was duly signed by Paris Saint-Germain in 2002 aged 13.

At FC Paris, Mamadou Sakho was predominantly a striker but was quickly moved into defence once he joined Paris Saint-Germain’s youth academy, Camp des Loges. Struggling to adjust to his new role and following the death of his father a year later, Sakho seemed to lose focus and was branded a delinquent at Le Camp. Under-13 coach, Christian Mas, was then asked to look after Sakho and duly took him under his wing, nurturing him through his turbulent youth before continuing to act as a mentor whilst he climbed the youth ranks at the club. It was an important stage in Sakho’s fledgling career as he quickly established himself as one of the stars of Le Camp and was instrumental in the Under-18 team which lifted the Championnat National des 18 despite being just 15-years-old.

In June 2007, Mamadou Sakho was handed his first professional contract and he went on to play 12 Ligue 1 games in the 2007-2008 season, as a left-back. It was also the same season when Paris Saint-Germain went on to lift the French Cup after beating Lens in the final with Sakho playing the full 90 minutes at left-back in the 2-1 win.

The following season, Mamadou Sakho would go on to make 23 league appearances scoring his first senior goal against Saint-Etienne in February 2009. The same season, Sakho would go on to play seven games in Europe as Paris Saint-Germain reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup. In the 2009-2010 season, Mamadou Sakho was asked to play in his more favoured position as a central defender alongside veteran Zoumana Camara as Paul Le Guen was replaced by former Paris Saint-Germain (and Aberdeen) centre-back, Antoine Kombouaré. It proved to be an inspired decision as Sakho quickly established himself into one of France’s top central defenders and deservedly received a call up to the French national team at the end of the season having made 32 league appearances.

The following season was to be Mamadou Sakho’s most productive season as he scored four league goals in 35 appearances partnering either Camara or Sylvain Armand in Paris Saint-Germain’s defence. His exploits in the 2010-2011 season did not go unnoticed as he went on to win the French Young Player of the Year award and was also named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year.

In the 2011-2012 season, Mamadou Sakho was reinstalled as club captain after the retirement of Claude Makelele but he struggled with injuries which also coincided with a poor run of form which led to Sakho being dropped by new manager, Carlo Ancelotti who had taken the reigns of Paris Saint-Germain half way through the season. The following season saw Sakho take another step down the ladder as Paris Saint-Germain, who were now owned by Qatari businessman, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, took to buying some big money signings which included AC Milan’s, Thiago Silva. As a result, Mamadou Sakho quickly fell behind both Thiago Silva and former Chelsea defender, Alex, as he struggled for game time, often appearing off the bench or used primarily in cup competitions.

So what kind of a defender is Mamadou Sakho?

Blessed with pace, a monstrous build and aggression which makes him both a winner on the field as well as off it, you could argue Mamadou Sakho is a complete centre-back despite just being 23 years of age. He is predominantly left-footed and, although he prefers to play as the left centre-back, he has played on the right and is equally comfortable in both roles. Along with his aggression and undeniable strength in the air, Sakho is perhaps one of the most intelligent young defenders in the game. His reading of the game is that of a seasoned veteran and his positional sense is quite remarkable for someone so young. Very rarely is Sakho caught out of position and on the rare occasion he is, he uses his pace and acceleration to great effect to recover his ground. It is this pace and acceleration which also saw Sakho start his professional career as a left-back playing over 100 games for Paris Saint-Germain in this role.

Physically, Sakho is an imposing defender. However, despite being strong in the tackle and seemingly unbeatable in the air at times, he has an air of elegance and likes to play football which led to French journalists to label him the next Lilian Thuram earlier in his career. Off the pitch and in the dressing room, Sakho is a vocal individual who demands the respect of players much older than him. When Paul Le Guen appointed Sakho his club captain aged just 17, the likes of seasoned internationals Gregory Coupet, Ludovic Giuly and Pauleta also adorned the same dressing room as the Frenchman. However, Sakho was unphased and his team mates quickly learned to respect their young captain whose winning mentality and unnerving ability to organise others around him led to them following their leader rather than rebelling.

It was the same story at youth level. Mamadou Sakho captained France at all youth levels from the Under-16s through to the Under-21s and is now being touted as France’s next captain as manager, Didier Deschamps, has all but made Sakho a permanent fixture in the French national team’s rearguard where he has played eight times for Les Bleus the past season.

So what of Liverpool’s interest in the Frenchman?

With Brendan Rodgers saying at a recent press conference that he would like to bring in another four new faces before the end of the transfer window which would include a left-back and centre-back, Mamadou Sakho’s name has been mooted in the press.

It was initially thought that Paris Saint-Germain would entertain offers of £8m for the French defender but newly installed manager, Laurent Blanc, has stated that he would be open to loan offers for Sakho so long as he signed a renewal to his existing contract. Its a clever move by Blanc as he is willing to allow Sakho to go out on loan in a World Cup year with Thiago Silva likely to partner new signing, Marquinhos, next season; but with the added bonus that he can recall Sakho at the end of his loan spell knowing that he is still under contract with Paris Saint-Germain.

There seem to be numerous suitors across Europe for Mamadou Sakho’s signature with AC Milan, Barcelona and AS Monaco expressing an interest along with Liverpool. Monaco seems the least likeliest destination as they will be in direct competition with Paris Saint-Germain for Ligue 1 next season which leaves AC Milan, Barcelona and Liverpool to fight it out for his signature.

With Martin Skrtel and Sebastian Coates’ futures looking far from certain and with Jamie Carragher having retired at the end of last season, there could very well be a place for Mamadou Sakho in Liverpool’s rearguard this forthcoming season. Likewise, another aspect that will appeal to Brendan Rodgers is Sakho’s ability to play left-back. Although Aly Cissokho seems nailed on to join Liverpool on loan, it gives Rodgers another option and like with all big teams, competition for places is always a welcome headache for managers.