Équipe du Sénégal : Qui est Clayton Diandy, la surprise offensive de Patrick Vieira ?
The national coach surprised more than one observer this Thursday by unveiling the list of players called up for the double confrontation against Sudan, counting towards the qualifiers for the 2027 AFCON. Among the eight forwards selected is the young winger from Al Diriyah, Clayton Diandy.
Aged 20, the striker, born in Guinea-Bissau and trained at the Espoirs de Guédiawaye club, first made a name for himself playing for Senegal's youth teams. A substitute at the start of the 2023 U-17 World Cup, he earned a starting place in the third group stage match and then in the round of 16 loss to France, taking advantage of Amara Diouf's injury. Against the French, he left the pitch frustrated after missing several clear chances, but the young man continues his development without being discouraged.
After his time with Espoirs de Guédiawaye, Clayton Diandy moved to Greece, signing with Aris Thessaloniki. The diminutive winger, dynamic and capable of playing anywhere across the front line, nevertheless experienced a difficult start, struggling to adapt. In his first season in Greece, he only managed one assist in 19 official appearances. The following season saw him gain consistency and regularity in his play. While he still lacked a clinical finish in front of goal, the Senegalese player caught the eye of scouts from Al Diriyah, a Saudi Arabian second-division club at the time, who secured his loan.
It was in Saudi Arabia that the striker took a spectacular leap forward. During the first half of the season with the Saudi club, he racked up impressive numbers, scoring 7 goals and providing 6 assists. He particularly distinguished himself by scoring a decisive brace in the promotion playoffs to the first division, propelling his club into the top flight. Following this success, Al Diriyah's management paid €4.6 million (approximately 3 billion CFA francs) to exercise their option to buy and secure his services permanently.
This season, in the Saudi Arabian top flight, Clayton Diandy is still struggling to rediscover the clinical finishing he displayed in recent months. In 10 appearances, he has scored only one goal and provided one assist. The 20-year-old nevertheless retains his explosiveness and speed of execution, qualities sufficient to impress national team coach Patrick Vieira. "I called him up because of his club performances. He's a fast striker, capable of making runs in behind defenders. He's an interesting prospect," the coach emphasized in a press conference.
After the U17s and then the U20s, Clayton Diandy is now preparing to make his debut in the Senegal A team, with the ambition of establishing himself there permanently.
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