Ligue 1 has been a breeding ground for some terrific number 9s over recent years. Loïs Openda, Randal Kolo Muani, Mathys Tel, Victor Osimhen are just some of the top examples of strikers who have gone on to achieve bigger things after honing their talents in French football. Dutch striker Thijs Dallinga could be next in line.
By Ninad Barbadikar
Born in the the city of Groningen, Dallinga came through the ranks at Emmen FC before joining Groningen’s reserve side. Disappointed with his lack of opportunities, he would take a step down to the Eerste Divisie, joining Excelsior, which is where Toulouse’s scouts took notice of his talents.
He was top scorer in his one season at Excelsior, scoring 32 times in 37 appearances. Though Excelsior finished sixth in the league standings that year, Dallinga had done more than enough to earn a move back to the big leagues.
At the age of 23, the Dutchman has only had a couple of seasons under his belt where he has been first choice but in a relatively short sample, he has been impressive and shown that he has the potential to guarantee goals at a higher level.
In an era where number 9s come in all different sizes, Dallinga is a refreshing throwback type striker who has a great understanding of space inside the opposition penalty area and uses that understanding to great effect.
In his debut season, Dallinga finished with 12 goals in Ligue 1 plus a further six in the Coupe de France helping Toulouse to silverware in their first season back in the French top flight.
A quick glance at his radar shows gives us a good overview of his strong attributes, the best of which is the ability to put the ball into the back of the net.
Dallinga was averaging 0.46 goals per 90 last season, about a goal every other game. His shot map from last season shows us a good volume of shots from inside the penalty area which is where his composure in finishing comes to the fore.
Only slightly overperforming his Expected Goals (xG) tally for the season of 9.88, Dallinga averaged some 0.38 xG per 90 during the 22/23 season. Whilst this indicates that he wasn’t getting into dangerous positions to convert high quality chances regularly, it probably has more to do with the way Toulouse are set up rather than Dallinga’s own inability to recognise those chances.
Toulouse are one of the most direct sides in the French top flight. This season, they are fifth for average possessions won in the final 3rd with 5.6, Carles Martínez’s side aren’t a particularly high pressing side but effective at baiting the opposition centre-backs into mistakes, which are then pounced upon by players like Dallinga.
Toulouse’s wingers and full-backs are highly effective at advancing up the pitch once the ball has been won back, after that, it is up to Dallinga to be in the right place at the right time to convert, which he usually does.
Dallinga as a nine doesn’t see too much of the ball but is efficient with it when he does. His hold-up play has plenty of room for improvement but he does drop off from the forward line to offer support to central midfielders and wide attackers when necessary.
This season he has scored five goals in the league from an xG figure of 6.70, four of those open-play goals have come from within the width of the goal-posts which is where Dallinga positions himself best to convert cutbacks or crosses to him.
The Groningen native has improved considerably on his underlying figures from last season, averaging 0.56 xG per 90 this season in Ligue 1, placing him in the 89th percentile amongst his peers across the European leagues.
He is also shooting more often than he did last season, averaging nearly 3 shots per 90 this term as compared to 2.3 shots per 90 in the 22/23 campaign. Dallinga’s economic style of finishing makes him difficult to stop once he gets the ball in the box, he is excellent at getting shots away quickly. Liverpool learn that lesson during their Europa League encounter at the Stadium TFC.
Things are looking bright for the Dutchman in the time to come.
(Images from IMAGO)
You can follow every Ligue 1 game live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.