Aladji Bamba’s rise at Monaco after three starts in six, handed PSG start for a reason | OneFootball

According to Nice-Matin, 19-year-old midfielder Aladji Bamba has started three of Monaco’s last six matches, underlining his emergence in Sébastien Pocognoli’s plans.

Against Angers on Saturday he produced a composed first half, regularly breaking lines with his passing. A 40th-minute ball released Lamine Camara, who could not finish, and he imposed himself in duels.

Tall at 1.94 m and operating in front of the back line, the Blois-born player joined Monaco five years ago. He was involved in 2024-25 pre-season, including a British camp under Adi Hütter.

He then featured at Auxerre and Bruges in contrasting outings before a thigh injury stalled him. On recovery, Hütter made way for Pocognoli and Bamba’s restart proved slow. His first appearance under the new coach, seven minutes at Angers in October, failed to convince and he returned to the Youth League.

Early feedback stressed the need for greater physical impact, aggression and running volume. Since the turn of the year Pocognoli has eased him in, then trusted him from the start, and Bamba has delivered.

Pocognoli later said Bamba was returning from injury and adapting to demands, so staff worked closely on his first touch and control-to-pass. The coach sees progress, including aggression, and starting him at PSG reflected that trust.

The 2023 Gambardella Cup winner held his own at the Parc and was rated 6 the next day. He will have a role in the run-in, and he says regular minutes have given him more energy for duels. Feeling at ease after coming through the academy, he senses the coach’s faith and aims to repay it.

Source: Nice-Matin