‘More Kanu than Chris Waddle’ – Belgian football expert’s view on QPR’s latest signing
QPR completed the signing of striker Idrissa Sylla from Anderlecht on Tuesday.
The Guinea international, who has signed a three-year contract at Loftus Road, will be an unknown quantity to many Rangers supporters.
But George Nott, who watches the Belgian leagues for the Football Radar website, spoke to West London Sport about Sylla’s playing style and how he might adapt to Championship football.
Should fit right in
QPR boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink praised Sylla’s aerial ability and Nott is confident the striker will handle the rigours of the Championship, known for its physicality.
“Physically he won’t have any problems.
“He’s 6ft 2in, strong and, as Hasselbaink has hinted at, can be a good aerial presence.
“Personally, I feel he’s at his best with his back to goal – Anderlecht have used him this season as a hold-up man in Champions League and Europa League away games and he’s done a stellar job,” Nott said.
Not just a target man
Sylla has the ability to play out wide, says Nott, and will be a useful addition to the Rangers squad – if you overlook his habit of making striker’s tackles.
“He’s quick and is pretty comfortable out on the left wing or even in the number 10 role if needed, which might surprise a few people as he comes with the stereotypical ‘big man’ attributes.
“That said, his touch can be a little clumsy which means he gets a few yellows lunging in after a bit of poor control. However, all in all, I’d be fairly optimistic about him if I were a QPR fan.”
Fans sorry to see him go
Sylla and fellow striker Stefano Okaka both left the Belgian giants for English football this week, the latter joining Watford.
But Nott believes the Anderlecht supporters will be more unhappy at Sylla’s departure.
“The majority of fans are much sadder to see Sylla leave,” he said.
“Although he was mainly a bench player at Anderlecht last season, he’s a hard worker and began this season pretty well, and I personally don’t see too much in it in terms of quality between Sylla and Okaka.”
A good learner
Sylla has risen from the third-tier of French football to playing in Europa League and Champions League games, all the while chipping in with a decent, if unspectacular, goal ratio at whatever level he has played.
Nott puts this down to the way Sylla is able to cope with different systems and set-ups at the different clubs he has played at, and expects QPR to improve him.
Nott said: “I think he’s often helped by the fact he is a player willing to adapt to a new manager’s style of play.
“Part of the reason Anderlecht fans are a little sad to see him go is that he comes across as a good character to have around, which has helped him settle at teams.
“His finishing is probably an area of his game that could be worked on, and I’m sure Hasselbaink can teach him a thing or two in that respect.”
More Kanu than Waddle
Sylla earned the nickname of ‘Waddle’, after former England winger Chris, due to his array of skills.
But Nott sees more similarities with an ex-Inter Milan and Arsenal striker – although not Dennis Bergkamp.
“A comparison that definitely flatters Sylla but that I feel is a little more accurate than Waddle is to the great Nwankwo Kanu.
“Both can be frustrating at times when their touch lets them down but they are a real presence in the air and excel at holding off defenders.
“I still don’t think Sylla is the finished product so his style of play could change under the watchful eyes of Hasselbaink but I will certainly be keeping track of his progress at QPR.”
