Simon Adingra has lifted Monaco, but defensive work remains | OneFootball

Simon Adingra, 24, has jolted Monaco’s attack with three goals in seven outings since arriving in early February. His defensive work still needs polish before Friday’s Ligue 1 trip to the Parc des Princes.

The Ivorian winger joined on a six-month paid loan from Sunderland, with a non-obligatory option to buy worth 17 million euros and a loan fee of one million euros. According to Nice-Matin, he had initially looked difficult for Monaco to secure.

He has scored with each of his shots on target in Ligue 1. After grafting in the 0-0 draw with Nice on 8 February, he struck in the 3-1 win over Nantes on 13 February and curled in the second against Angers last Saturday to seal a 2-0 success.

Team-mate Wout Faes praises his unpredictability, rapid bursts and instinct for goal, and Sébastien Pocognoli gives him freedom in the final third while urging team-mates to create angles for him. Teddy Teuma sees a more mature player, less rushed and better at deciding when to speed up or recycle the ball.

Out of possession, Adingra remains a work in progress. More comfortable supporting a striker than as a wing-back, he must press smarter, duel harder and track back quicker. Pocognoli accepts this can be coached in a 3-5-2, citing past development work, and notes Adingra has played the role before. He lost his man in a transition against Angers, which was framed as concentration rather than quality.

Source: Nice-Matin