The 2021/22 campaign was a gruelling and debilitating season for all stakeholders involved in Borussia Mönchengladbach.
The once-great German club finished in the bottom half of the table for the first time since 2011, ending the season with a negative goal difference and a vacant managerial seat.
However, in the darkest of times, only the best shine the brightest.
Among all the roughage of the previous campaign was a diamond in the form of Kouadio Koné.
In January 2021, Mönchengladbach splashed €9 million out on an unpolished 19-year-old stone from Toulouse who was impressing in Ligue 2, although Koné was allowed to remain with Les Violets until the summer.
Upon arrival in North Rhine-Westphalia, Koné quickly became a vital member of a struggling squad, making 29 appearances in total over the course of the season for Mönchengladbach under Adolf Hütter.
The now-21-year-old has made a name for himself for his top performances in white, green and black and has garnered interest from some of Europe’s elite sides, including Manchester United and Juventus, two clubs in need of someone of Koné’s ilk.
This tactical analysis piece will be a scout report of Koné.
It will be an analysis of his strengths and weaknesses, as well as observing his role within Borussia Mönchengladbach’s tactics last season.
Player profile
Midfielders capable of operating as single pivots have become one of the most sought-after commodities in the modern game.
Everyone is on the lookout for players that can execute the same functions as Liverpool midfielder Fabinho and Manchester City’s Rodri, but there are very few on the market for a decent price.
Koné can, and has, been influential as a number ‘6’ for Mönchengladbach this season, although the Frenchman can also play further forward in a more advanced role as an ‘8’ on either side of the midfield.
Nevertheless, as can be seen from this graphic from the 2021/22 campaign, Koné’s main position has been on the left side of a midfield trio.
Generally, Hütter would partner Koné with Florian Neuhaus and Jonas Hoffman, or Cristoph Kramer if he was fit.
