Emmanuel Mbola

Date of Birth	Nationality	Current Club	Position	Strengths		Weaknesses	Transfer Rumours	Market Value (where applicable)	Similar Players
				Physical	Technical
10/5/1993	Zambian	TP Mazembe	Left Back	Strong, Quick, Tackles	Positioning	Inexperienced	-	500,000 euros	Roberto Carlos

Emmanuel Mbola is a relatively unknown player from Zambia. He is a 20-year-old left back whose current club is TP Mazembe in Congo. Last year he was loaned out to Porto and has played for their reserve team in a few matches. In February he signed a contract of 2 years to continue on at Porto and play for the reserves until he breaks through into the first team. He is a player who has been looked over by several clubs over the last few years and has not got an opportunity to show his talents in the more renowned leagues. He made his international debut aged just 14 and since then has been under a lot of pressure and expectations to perform at the highest levels. Mbola is a relatively young player having played a majority of his club career in Zambia and Congo. However, he did have a stint in the Armenian League with club FC Pyunik. There he experienced a little bit of Champions League football. Although his name has flown under the radar over the last few years, Mbola has exceptional talent.

He is a Left Back who isn’t afraid to defend. Unlike most left backs in the modern game Mbola is good at both the attacking and defensive side of the game. He isn’t afraid of the physicality of the other players and is always ready to make a challenge when necessary. His defensive positioning is fantastic with a great ability to resist wingers’ attacks and to intercept passes made down his wing. He is a very quick player and is on the ball within a matter of seconds. Whether it is to receive a pass or to defend a pass Mbola can always be found marking his man and attacking the ball. He also possesses a great attacking ability. He can change the game from defence to attack in a matter of seconds. With his great pace and quick passing on the left flank Mbola can win a tackle in his box and in a matter of seconds he will be in the opponents box looking to pass or cross to an oncoming attacker.

Mbola, although unrecognised, is a player worth watching. His exceptional qualities as a left back make him a player worth signing. His next few years at Porto will be great to watch, with Porto being known for their exceptional skill in harnessing talent out of young players we may see Mbola become a world class left back to watch for the future.