Cody Gakpo is a name that has been making headlines in the world of football. At just 22 years old, Gakpo has already made a significant impact on the pitch and has caught the attention of many top clubs across Europe. He hails from the Netherlands and is currently playing for PSV Eindhoven. However, with his impressive performance and potential, it is only a matter of time before he makes a move to one of the top leagues in Europe.

Gakpo’s Impact: Analysing his Performance on the Pitch

Cody Gakpo started his youth career at the age of 6 with local club VV Gestel. He then joined the youth academy of PSV Eindhoven at the age of 10 and has been with the club ever since. Gakpo progressed through the ranks quickly and made his senior team debut in 2018, at the young age of 19.

Gakpo’s impact on the pitch goes beyond just numbers and statistics. He is a player with excellent decision-making abilities and is always looking to create chances for his teammates. His passing accuracy and crossing abilities are also commendable, making him a threat in the attacking third of the pitch. Gakpo is also known for his work rate and defensive contributions, which makes him a complete player on the pitch.

Gakpo’s Playing Style: A Balanced Approach

Cody Gakpo’s playing style is a perfect balance between creativity and effectiveness. He has a good eye for goal and is not afraid to take on defenders and create opportunities for himself and his teammates. Gakpo’s dribbling skills and close control make it difficult for defenders to stop him, and he often draws fouls from opponents due to his quick movements and agility.

Gakpo’s Impact at the National Level

As mentioned earlier, Cody Gakpo received his debut call-up for the Dutch national team in March 2021. He made his international debut in a friendly match against Gibraltar, coming off the bench and scoring a goal in the 7-0 victory.

Gakpo’s Strengths: A Deep Dive into his Skills and Abilities

As discussed earlier, Cody Gakpo is known for his explosive speed, agility, and technical abilities. His playing style is a perfect balance between creativity and effectiveness, making him a versatile and unpredictable player on the pitch. In this section, we will take a closer look at some of Gakpo’s strengths that make him a rising star in football.

Dribbling and Close Control

One of Gakpo’s biggest assets is his excellent dribbling skills. He possesses close control and quick feet, making it challenging for defenders to stop him. Gakpo can navigate through tight spaces and use his pace and agility to beat opponents and create chances for himself and his teammates.

In the table below, we can see Gakpo’s dribbling statistics in the Eredivisie for the 2020/21 season:

These numbers may not seem impressive at first glance, but it is important to note that Gakpo plays in a league where teams often defend deep and compact, making it difficult for attackers to dribble past defenders. Yet, Gakpo has managed to maintain a decent success rate, showcasing his ability to take on opponents and create attacking opportunities.

Goal-Scoring Abilities

Cody Gakpo is not just a creative player; he also has an eye for goal. As a left-winger, he is comfortable with both feet and can finish chances with ease. In the 2020/21 season, Gakpo scored 8 goals in the Eredivisie, making him PSV’s second-highest goal scorer behind Donyell Malen.

Passing and Creativity

Apart from his goal-scoring abilities, Gakpo is also an excellent passer of the ball. His passing accuracy in the 2020/21 Eredivisie season was 81%, which is impressive for a winger. He is known for his accurate crosses and through balls, and his vision and decision-making abilities make him a creative player on the pitch.

Defensive Contributions

As discussed earlier, Cody Gakpo is not just an attack-minded player. He is also disciplined and committed to his defensive duties. He averages 1.3 tackles per game and 0.5 interceptions per game in the Eredivisie, showcasing his willingness to help his team defensively.

Gakpo is also good at pressing opponents and winning back possession for his team. His work rate and defensive contributions make him a valuable asset for any team, adding balance to their attacking play.

Conclusion

Cody Gakpo is undoubtedly a rising star in football. From his humble beginnings at PSV’s youth academy to his impressive performances at the senior level, Gakpo has shown that he has what it takes to reach the top in the world of football. He is a versatile player with excellent technical abilities, and his balanced approach on the pitch makes him a valuable asset for both club and country.