After five months of competition, most Senegalese footballers abroad have completed their first part of the season. Just before the start, the Wiwsport editorial team presents its typical mid-season team. This is a great looking eleven, with a few reveals.
GARDIEN: DEMBA THIAM (JUVE STABIA)
After his brilliant campaign in Serie C last season, the 26-year-old goalkeeper made a wise choice, deciding to continue with a second season on loan at Juve Stabia. Logically, the player on loan from SPAL started this 2024-2025 season as a starter in the cages of the promoted team in Serie B. And it is partly thanks to his excellent performances that the Gialloblu currently occupy fifth place of the Italian D2. He has 7 clean sheets in 20 matches.
RIGHT SIDE: NOAH FADIGA (THE GHENT)
The first half of the season Noah Fatigue was stopped short by heart problems, but the 25-year-old was able to prove himself with La Gantoise. He became indisputable in the eyes of Wouter Vrancken, his coach who often used him as a piston or right winger. While his ability to contribute offensively could have been questionable in the past, the former Stade Brestois player shows that he is also a prolific full-back, since he stood out in this register by scoring 4 goals in 23 matches.
CENTRAL DEFENDERS: OUSMANE DIAO (FC MIDTJYLLAND) AND KALIDOU KOULIBALY (AL-HILAL)
Ousmane Diao has truly revealed himself in the Danish Championship since his arrival from CD Mafra. Quickly installed as a starter, the 20-year-old central defender confirmed the confidence of his coach Thomas Thomasberg. Despite a few false notes, like during his two matches against Brøndby IF or in the Champions League preliminary round, he often showed a lot of character, being decisive with 4 goals and an assist.
Fallou Fall, winner of the Norwegian Cup with Fredrikstad, Moussa Niakhaté (Olympique Lyonnais) and Mamadou Moustapha Mbow (Paris FC) were not unworthy. But to complete this central axis, we chose Kalidou Koulibaly. The captain of the Lions played a key role during the last meetings of the Senegal National Team. Although criticized by Al-Hilal supporters, his performances in Saudi Arabia nevertheless remain solid, and he has undoubtedly been one of Jorge Jesus’ safe values since the start of the season.
LEFT SIDE: EL HADJI MALICK DIOUF (SLAVIA PRAGUE)
This is THE big revelation of this start of the season on the Senegalese side. Sensible in competition with the experienced Jan Boril or Ondrej Zmrzly at Slavia PragueEl Hadji Malick Diouf has established himself as the indisputable holder of the position of left piston of Slavia Prague. While he discovered the National Team, with which he has four selections, the former resident of the Galaxy Foot Academy has literally exploded since the start of the season. The dimension taken by Malick is all the more important since he arrived in Europe only a year ago. With 6 goals and 3 assists, his performances caught the eye of several clubs, including some in the Premier League. His departure from Slavia Prague this winter cannot be ruled out, he who could become the most expensive player in the Czech Championship.
MIDFIELDERS: HABIB DIARRA (Strasbourg) and LAMINE CAMARA (AS MONACO)
-And Habib Diarra21, is playing in a more advanced position this season in Strasbourg, we know the Alsatian is capable of playing a step lower and being able to recover. Promoted to captain of the young Strasbourg team, Liam Rosenior’s colt perfectly fulfills his role as leader. Scorer three times in Ligue 1 this season, he made his mark last November by scoring three goals with the Lions. His technical ease and his volume of play are of great benefit to Pape Thiaw’s team and the Alsatian team.
It’s the same for Lamine Camara with the Lions and at AS Monaco. Arriving during the last transfer window, the former FC Metz player impressed in the Monegasque colors, as evidenced by his two goals and two assists in Ligue 1. Pape Matar Sarr could well have been part of this team, but Lamine Camara, a new once elected best African hopeful of the year, he who has just celebrated his 21st birthday, is a real confirmation and a real satisfaction on the side of the Principality.
ATTACKING MIDDLE: BOULAYE DIA (SALERNITANA, THEN LAZIO ROME)
Before experiencing an eight-game drought without scoring, Boulaye Dia remained on a good series which he started with Salernitana and continued at Lazio Rome. In 22 matches in all competitions, the former Villarreal and Stade de Reims player has already scored 8 goals and provided 2 assists. His ability to occupy a role as a second attacker, behind the center forward, is essential for his coach Marco Baroni who undoubtedly hopes to find a more confident Boulaye Dia and spared from physical problems.
FORWARDERS: PAPE MEISSA BA (Grenoble), NICOLAS JACKSON (CHELSEA) AND ABDALLAH SIMA (BREST)
If he is announced in the sights of several clubs for a departure this winter, it is because Pape Meissa Ba is having a magnificent season with Grenoble. Current top scorer in Ligue 2, the 27-year-old striker has already scored 11 goals, including 10 in the Championship, all in 17 matches. We could also have chosen Cheikh Tidiane Sabaly, who, second top scorer in Ligue 2 with eight goals, discovered the National Team A with an assist during his first match.
If we had to choose the best player of this eleven type, it would probably be him. Nicolas Jacksoncriticized throughout last season, turned the situation around in this first part of the season and shines brightly with Chelsea. In 18 Premier League matches, the 23-year-old striker has found the net 9 times and provided 3 assists. It is well within the best standards. It remains to be confirmed over the next six months, both in club and in selection, he who only has one goal in 18 caps with the Lions.
Another striker who stands out at club level but who is unlucky with the Lions: Abdallah Sima. Spared by injuries at the start of the season, the Stade Brestois player was able to find consistency and regularity, as during his time at Rangers. Inevitable in the European Cup, he scored three goals in five Champions League matches, which earned the Bretons a good 7th place. The former Slavia Prague player is also the author of three goals and an assist in 10 Ligue 1 matches. We could also have chosen Mame Baba Thiam, author of 8 goals and 2 assists with Eyupspor.
wiwsport.com
