Tiémoué Bakayoko

Tiémoué Bakayoko, born on August 17, 1994, is a French professional footballer renowned for his role as a defensive midfielder. His versatility allows him to excel as a centre midfielder and adapt to various positions, including box-to-box midfielder. With a reputation for his all-round ability, physical power, and athleticism, he has earned praise from France manager Didier Deschamps, who describes him as 'a complete midfielder.'

Bakayoko's journey in football began at a young age, overcoming a fractured leg to join the Rennes academy at thirteen. Despite facing setbacks, including being turned down by the prestigious Clairefontaine academy at fourteen, he persevered and made his senior debut with Rennes, where he accumulated twenty-four appearances.

In 2014, Bakayoko transferred to AS Monaco for a fee of eight million euros. His early years at the club saw him make thirty-one appearances in Ligue 1, but it was during the 2016–17 season that he truly shone, playing a pivotal role in Monaco's Ligue 1 title victory and earning a spot in the UEFA Champions League squad of the season.

In 2017, he made a high-profile move to Chelsea for forty million pounds. However, after a challenging first season, he was loaned out in subsequent years. In 2023, Bakayoko was released by Chelsea and signed with Lorient, marking a new chapter in his career. Additionally, he made his sole senior international appearance for the France national team in March 2017.