Recently turning 17, Stoke City’s Abdoulaye Touré is starting to make a name for himself in the U18 Premier League, with two goals and three assists to his name in eight appearances.
Joining the Potters in 2016 after a season with Le Havre’s academy, the same one that helped produce the likes of Paul Pogba and Dimitri Payet, the young winger is becoming one of the leaders of the club’s youth program, and FootMercato in France went to have a chat with him about this transition.
Before getting to business, for those who don’t know him, the 17-year-old gave a quick rundown of what he can bring to a team.
He said: “I’m very quick, I have been since I was young. I’m good one on one, I like to provoke the defender, and I like driving forwards. I also enjoy quick one-twos and passing the ball in close spaces.”
While Stoke City are undoubtedly delighted to have such a talented youngster at their disposal for the future, FootMercato were curious as to why he chose to go to the bet365 Stadium when he probably could have gone elsewhere, perhaps to another more ‘reputable’ club.
He explained: “Moving to England, it was risky, but I’m someone who’s used to take difficult decisions. I spoke a lot about with my family and I think it’s what was best for me, to make me grow. Today, I can see it in the way I play”.
Already maturing beyond his years, Stoke have allowed him to train with the U23s, just so that he can get a taste, to give him something to look forward to.
Happy with the Potters, Touré still has ambitions, with clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester United or Paris Saint-Germain dream destinations of his.
However, he knows that won’t come easy.
He said: “Of course, I would love to join one of the biggest clubs in the world, those that make me dream. That all depends of my future, my efforts”.
The right mentality for a young man who appears to know exactly what he wants, and understands he needs to take the right steps to achieve his goals.
Breaking through at Stoke is probably next on the agenda.
