🌠Rafiq Lamptey - Millwall U21s
Separation movement to change the picture, closing down angles and Bamo
Rafik Lamptey joined Millwall U21s from Harrow Borough Under 18s at the very end of pre season, August 2024
I have seen him twice live, plus bits here and there on video
I was impressed by his ability to create a spark in a “trench war” game at Charlton (played in the british garden of Princes Park) with some smart passes and a willingness to get stuck in by winning the ball back then carry it out of pressure.
Rafik Lamptey wasn’t offered scholarship terms at Watford.
Didn’t start vs Brentford (where he also spent a few years), but did vs Watford in a game Millwall made it more difficult than it should’ve been by allowing the Hornets to come back to 3-2 in what still was a challenging performance with decisions to make.
We will however spare you from tHeReFoRe hE hAd a pOiNt tO pRoVe, already chalked off from the FootballWriterGPT bingo.
PDL games are eventful in the sense that what happens between both boxes is slightly more chaotic than at PL2 level ; the downside is that final third is sometimes a bit of a let down.
But this is also a great sandbox for players crashing the party after a football education that saw them have a detour in grassroots like Rafik Lamptey.
Princes Park is also a great sandbox, for different reasons.
Whoever wants to figure out the process to improve players has to widen their scope of analysis, not restricted to top flight players.
Every snowflake is unique, some are however more unique than others.
How deployable is Messi, Modric or Pogba’s game?
Some technical benchmarks definitely are, through pieces of skill that take their name when coaching “ball mastery”, but these players will always be in a league on their own.
Players who don’t do everything well generate a gradient of situations (and its consequences) worth breaking down in detail to identify and look at on the next play.
As for the specifics on Rafik Lamptey, the thing I like is that he seems to have a short autonomous feedback loop to naturally do better on the thing he didn’t do so well moments before. This isn’t extraordinary, but this isn’t a granted either.
Some players require to get their finger burned with turnovers and yellow cards, or lengthy (video) feedback sessions - or simply facing even problem solving situations in training and games to get better from game to game.
In terms of approach, there’s a spark and an edge to Rafik Lamptey’s game that would be easy to imagine having tamed having been released, or coasting through games at his own pace.
He’s been featuring a bit as a right back, and I liked the flashes I saw from midfield.
I’ll also benchmark with Bamo, a midfielder turned central defender who signed for my U19s in 2019-20.
2001, in Autumn 2019. No academy curriculum ; pretty much last chance saloon from Eastern Paris (Seine Saint-Denis)
Paris “Ile de France” is one of the most congested talent hotbed in the world - I keep arguing London 6x bigger isn’t too far off.
From “Plaine d’Entrainement des Gandonnières” in 2019 to beating Mbappé and Messi 3-1 at the Parc des Princes in 2023 ; sending Mitoma for a hot dog and making his Cote d’Ivoire debut.
I’ve organised it in 6 angles, three defensive and three attacking themes.
High recoveries
Screening the back 4
Closing down angles
Connecting with the front line
First touch
Separation movement
Clips are neither chronoligical nor good to bad.
Rafik Lamptey played a step ahead of Alfie Massey, tasked to stay tight to the opposition’s midfielders - a demanding role that required to cover the space accordingly, and sense when to jump, delay and step back without finding himself like a hedgehog caught in headlights on the M25
High recoveries
23: Get the leg in front before taking the hit
Something covered in the Lucas Gourna article (more on that later)
Useful to have a skim through this
Youssouf FOFANA - 5 alternatives to Moisés Caicedo for Chelsea's midfield (5/5)
Time to conclude the “5 alternatives to Moises Caicedo” series with a focus on a Monaco-based Parisian in Youssouf Fofana.
7: Sharp and very good recovery
Correctly reading the pressing trap, left back can’t play down the line, will likely play square back inside. Rafik Lamptey jumps in the right timing, before the pass is played because he’s identified where it’ll go.
5: reading triggers and creativity
Good read to second guess that the pass is gonna end up behind the receiver
Trying to spin with a cruyff turn on the move, cheeky and unusual (but we’re absolutely here for pickup football moves)
Windscreen wiper
On this one, Lamptey is one step ahead of Massey.
Ideally, find a closing down angle that allows to be goal side, nick the ball without going through the player and also block the ball forward
In recent years, teams have also used the 1+1 defensive organisation (reminiscent of early 2000s footy) with a “DM” and someone doing the “windscreen wiper”
Jorginho sitting, and Kanté closing down.
Some will say he sacrificed his hamstring (that’s what I think. Oh well).
Or Lavia and Ward-Prowse at Southampton
The article is in the drafts (since 2023, mind you) - yes the theme is “The Police”
(bad joke Police going after my “The Floor is Lavia” tweets that… sting).
That’s a good recovery tackle, good speed and choice surface to make it a pass
Screening the back four
53: Split the pitch, shut the door, now what
In terms of decision making; split the pitch in two and shut the door is the good decision (central player can spread left or right), player wide can only play forward or wide assuming options back inside are blocked off
Ideally, being dynamic on toes with feet below shoulders
In order to push with the left leg (rather than the right) to kick start faster
Possibly worthwile to stay shoulder / shoulder and get the left arm in front to force a skewed pass
Reference: Lucas Gourna-Douath article from 2023
44: Picking up second balls (and fouls)
Being on the move when the ball is in the air is good, being even move dynamic on toes helps to react faster
Casemiro being another benchmark
Usually the first rule regarding rebounds is “don”t let it bounce”, otherwise the player in the attacing half has the edge
Probably worth trying to chest it and get bumped into to draw a foul.
40: Screen and pressing trap
Any pressing trap involving 3 commited players is bound to get the desired effect, worth checking shoulder to see if the CB is ready to mark the 9 back to goal.
Even if ideally, that pass should be screened, can’t get away with a CB-9 at a good level, risking the CB to make a professional foul to prevent the 9 to dump and run.
Reaction is good, reach is impressive. high turnover = transition
34: Can you see his shirt number
Covering the midfield team mate (see his shirt number) and protecting the line between the ball and the goal creates a few yards that can be used to close down the opponent forward
As opposed to be on an island, backtracking, screening the goal and still wanting to reduce time/space to ping a pass
33: Screen the channel when ball side
Spreading the ball wide, as the “ball side” CM
What you want is that inevitable channel clearance doesn’t end up with your own CB in a door hinge, 1v1
Someone has to screen, ideally the ball side CM
If Massian-Edwards takes a good touch, he’s off
24: Arm on shoulder
This a good leap and gamemanship, to have the arm on the shoulder and disrupt the opponent’s leap
Fernandinho out-jumping the best heading midfielder in his Premier League years.
19: Midfield cover down the stairs
Has to be some form of communication between the RW and the CM as to who tucks in and defends the space. Winger usually gets level with the ball side CM (to not end up as an auxiliary right back).
Decision making is ok to be alive and backtrack, but possibly even faster (it’s fine to close down in front if the midfielder gets on the ball), to not be caught in the middle
Once the Watford right back is obviously about to clip the ball due to his movement (small touch and arm).
19: Alfie Massey might probably need to do better to get away with something here, as he’s in charge of screening the goal on this side
it then becomes a situation to mitigate, the change of direction is challenging but catching the player wrong side is only ever gonna end up one way.
Ideally, find a slightly different angle of approach to get across his run (instead of catching him from behind) with a chance to tackle when level.
Open your arms and hop to not tangle his legs (what he’s looking for)
13: Good standing recovery
I like Prince Siriku (8), he’s a good player (passer who can change pace and carry).
However ;
Ideally still think about protecting the ball - goal to close down forward (green / black)
Siriku takes a long second touch after his first touch (yellow).
A better way to play that sequence would be for him to take a second short touch then knock it past in the open space (black), once his opponent is flat footed.
At a better level, this probably ends up with a booking for the CM who clips Siriku
Picking up channel runners
I was very impressed by this one, just like I was with Ramires when he used to do it.
Or Reiss-Russell Alexander-Denny
The correct reading of the situation (CMs help out fullbacks, more than wingers) prevents defenders to go wider than the box and allows them to defend the front and far post.
59: Screen the channel ball side = cheat code to rack up lose balls.
Covering for advancing fullback/winger is a cheat code to rack up 15-20 more possessions per game for midfielders
And the moment I was thinking: did he know the first time, and did he adjust by himself during the game? The answer is not really important, the aim is to get even more consistent at it
78: get goal side to close down forward
I really liked that move too, screen the ball-goal line then close down forward.
Incidentally (or not), the ball is recovered just after
A top midfielder (Matic, Carrick) would probably find a way to receive it back foot and face forward quicker, assuming he’s aware he doesn’t have pressure from behind
The pass to get out of pressure is alright but there’s room to bend it around the corner to generate more speed to the counter attack
Closing down angles
Closing down = press, reduce time and space to play
Angle = find the best way to simultaneously protect the ball-goal line, and nick the ball without going through people.
Pressing trap (Giroud shuts the door)
Kanté reads the trigger (has already, that’s why he’s already sprinting)
Nicks the ball from Seri from the only angle where he can protect the goal and get a clean touch
Drives diagonally for a straight(ish) pass. World class.
This is the takeaway, with an actionable framework to re-use:
Technically the “ideal closing down angle” would be some kind of “Green Flash” between the “out of position” and the “Caicedo Twilight Zone”
(reason why he’ll finish the season closing down on three digit fouls).
But enough of lame ass cultural references.
28: Don’t be split by a zipped pass
there should have been enough time before Akomeah zips a pass into midfied, to get goal side.
A half turn reception can end up with a foul (and probably a yellow card)
25: Benchmark closing down movement to get it back
on the other hand, this is an excellent closing down run
The biggest challenge CMs face is to take two informations (ball and screen the goal), some of it is “ball watching” which means they’re attracted to the ball before they’re in position to tackle it.
End up stranded in nowhere land, carried in one direction having to powerfully (strength x speed) change direction to defend against the attacker going the opposite direction - often ends up with a midfielder going to ground or making a foul.
5: Shutting off the door from the other side
Calm down Adele
Coming from the « ball far » side in a situation where Millwall try to box opponents.
Looking at screening the goal still applies, that step on the right then only allows to block with the right leg (as opposed to with the left, and a potential outcome for the tackle going forward as a result, like on the previous play
80 : tangling legs wrong side
A mixture of « ball watching » and wrong closing down angle, results in ending up wrong side and fouling (dark dashs).
The time the ball takes to reach the direct opponent has to be used to create an angle to close down forward (green) to stay goal side
Connecting with the front line
59 : Pogbadiashile
Might be worth considering the « stiff arm » to keep the opponent at distance, who’ll nudge when the pass is played (and get away with it)
I liked that pass, with a technique reminiscent of Badiashile / Pogba who could zip passes without leaving the ground
To nitpick, the support foot toes don’t point in the direction of the foward’s front foot to receive back to goal, resulting in the pass going a yard wider.
33 : that pass will feed wingers (early)
Being confident to attempt that pass is good, zipping it means it reaches the team mate even faster (giving him more time to handle his 1v1) ; even faster than using the left (or trivela) « around the corner » both in terms of movement execution or speed of pass
In terms of the reception, it’d have made sense to cushion the first touch (Carrick and Matic were expert at it) so that the left foot lands closer to it, pointing forward
There’s time lost « chasing » the touch, not necessarily seeing the picture upfront
And left foot still not level with the ball, forcing into contorsions
Good adaptation / technique to still hit the ball on the perfect spot though
33 : Deception
In terms of the first touch, taking it in the same direction as the intended pass might not be enough to fool good defensive structures.
Either a longer touch going where the pass came from, to play a masked pass
Or a shorter touch (still going where the ball came from) to carry then play the masked pass
That would be the slight « shoulder drop » with the left one that draws the Watford CM a little bit
The idea is really good, midfielders who find attackers in the pockets are valuable.
But akin to the previous play, the whole balance / execution requires too much contorsion to succeed and the ball is hit slightly below where it should’ve been and the pass takes off.
56 : Trivela
I’ve got a lot of time for this one.
The Luka Modric special (but Frank Lampard did it too).
53 : Deception to open a window
Benchmark example of : drive one way, play another.
Diagonal carry for a straight pass, sending the Watford CM for a hot dog at the Millwall Café
From the Youssouf Fofanarticle.
Not Calvin Bassey vs Romero, but worth staying in position to get the legs tangled and draw a foul
45 : good dynamism before bouncing in one touch
Always difficult to make a snap decision, ideally find the most advanced player (14) for a subsequent overlap (by 7) but running the risk to pass in 7’s heel and create some chaos.
45 : good spinning, and Fàbregas pass
The spinning, change of direction is good to not be put off balance and stay connected.
Worth nudging the striker at some point
The pass after that is very good, low that reaches the opponent faster than an « up and under » full of snow that takes three business days to connect.
Receipe resides in « locking » the ankle with both set of toes pointing in the right direction.
Everyone’s his own player, but then also Labile is that you.
44 : Half turn reception
Massiah-Edwards (7)’s closing down run has more to do with the baseball « home run », easing the succes to connect with an attacker between the lines.
That touch would be too long for a seasoned player :
So ideally, receive back foot left (there’s time to do so) and decide when to take the second touch with the right (ideally slightly outside). Ideally slightly delayed so that the defender freezes, then clips the knee when he suddently reacts.
Bukayo Saka is excellent at timing his second touch after reception. That’s algorithmic and he makes virtually zero perception/action errors doing so. Possibly why casuals who expect flashy moves aren’t moved. But people who know, know.
39 : first touch against the flow
This is a good example of « separation movement » from a CM : A pass to B to play C
C finds separation (creates a few yards to receive with space in front) during the pass from A to B
Good first touch against the flow to send Siriku for a hot dog at the Millwall Café
Good deception with the shoulders to face one way and play another
36 : diagonal touch for a straight pass
I liked this one, much easier (and deceptive) and would have deserved a better first touch
Also from the Youssouf Fofanarticle:
First touch
Ideally, trying to get the left leg across to shield the ball and keep it away from the opppoent
Whilst the Watford midfielder’s only objective is to knock the carrier off the ball
8 : square first touch
Some options here ;
- Back foot left to find between the lines
- Back foot left to play towards a CB (to draw out a Watford player pressing) then play hide and seek to ask where the space is for a return pass
35 : Changing the picture diagonally
On this one, driving diagonally will open angles to play forward but the ball can probabluy be released a bit quicker to ask for a return pass
Upon completion of the pass, it’s worth taking a step back, go against the flow of the pass to ask in the same place (having given the opposition two opposite informations)
28 : turn of pace, and angle of carry
The turn is obviously good, with that one touch to create separation and start to get away.
This is probably the one touch that is worth taking more diagonally, opposed to the intended direction of the next pass even if the « trivela » (FC Porto’s Deco) pass is nice.
Separation movement
Worth considering a real change of direction (block with the left leg, cut to the right) on the trigger that is the winger’s first touch, to « split » the square to receive
Taking a step to exit the defenders’s field of vision, to then dart for the ball with space in front
Ideally look at exiting the opponent’s field of vision (130°) before showing up for the ball, instead of being whithin it. Popping up from the area where opponents see « movement » will make them process it then react, therefore give the space and time to receive.
Same applies for this one :
Delay going for the ball until the pass between the last two receivers is played, in, order to show up for the ball outside the opponent’s field of vision, or popping up when the team mate is ready to pass
This, on the other hand, is a good, sharp separation movement.
I’m intrigued at the self feedback loop to do better later in the game, there’s certainly a good base to work with.
Bit of benchmarking with Bamo, who I coached in 2019-20.
Bamo never played for an Academy and was signed after a lengthy 8-week trial, as a defensive midfielder from Paris.
Aged 18, born in 2001 ; that was pretty much the last chance saloon as far as he’s concerned. Was initially joining to bring more defensive nous to the U19 midfield.
Super strength; one of the best headers I’ve coached, a knack for reading the game, intercept, find solutions to get out of pressure.
Since that, he signed for Lorient ; Olympique de Marseille ; Montpellier HSC.
On the international stage, he narrowly missed out on Cote d’Ivoire’s final squad that would have made him AFCON Champion.
I coached him for two games in December 2019.
The first one, he started as a DM in 532 which became a 432 after 50 seconds when the CB was sent off. Then another midfielder got sent off; so I set up the team in 5-1-2 / 3-3-2 with Bamo moving as defacto centre back - and the ball far wingback tucking in (to create a “two man midfield”).
Good fun, mostly for my team and myself, gently invited to shove my GoPro where the sun never shines by the opposition’s seasoned GK coach. Rattled.
2-1 down at half time, 9v11
Spam channel balls on split strikers, draw free kicks and fire diags into the box
The 2-2 is scored by Ibrahim Traoré (2002), found at Grassroots (like Serhou Guirassy) by the same scout. Who found Serhou Guirassy.
Speaking of Serhou Guirassy
Dembo, in bright lime boots above - “not good enough” at Community Scheme level (the French NPO charity running U7-U16 that gets people file 3 digit expense forms per month. Fuck them) - now plays with Serhou Guirassy for Guinea NT.
Dembo scored the 2-5 (was right back in 332 ; and was goal hanging with the score 2-4 on the left wing to get his fucking goal, which he fucking got at 90+3).
Rewatching it with the same emotion; I figure out Bamo winds up the opposition’s #7 whose dramatic dive in the first half got our second sending off for a high boot.
Excellent shitehousery, sir.
I never noticed it until today.
The second game Bamo played in December 2019 was vs Girondins de Bordeaux before the (traditional) winter break; rocking with the First Team bus, 3 internationals and professionals. Bamo played DM in 532 again.
Then we got another player sent off, and we saw out an historic 1-0 win with a 4-3-2 then 5-3-1 shape.
Bordeaux fielded an (opinionated) winger who might end up as Ligue 1 best passer in 2024-25 - Opinionated as in: happy to provide unasked feedback to the opposition dugout, would be the way I put it.
Did it reach me? Not more than he did hit the target that day against a 15 year old goalkeeper (year 10) in U19 National League.
1-0 was the final score, with Dembo scoring the only goal.
Discarded at community scheme level, I played Dembo as wingback and he gave me one goal contribution per game. A footballer on wheels
Now he’s clipping crosses for Serhou Guirrassy for Guinea National Team (pictured here defending against Vinicius) and is a professional on loan from FC Lorient.
Second half vs Bordeaux was good fun, with a sending off after 50’
I moved my CCB into midfield - going 532 to 432
Moussa (6), then 16 ; has made his debut for HHC Hardenberg in Tweede Divisie this month. I think he kept like 5 clean sheets in a row with my U19s as a U17. Cheat code.
Moussa was trained at PEC Zwolle, then moved to France.
I kept rotating my three midfielders including Bamo who were getting in flash points against the two electric wingers
One brilliant passer with vision, who wanted to become a land surveyor, can’t make it up
Moussa, 16 year old midfielder who I moved from 532 to midfield - and was told off in PE the next day at school, for sacking off the session despite being top 3 best players on the pitch vs a professional club.
Bamo who was deepest of the 3, or LCM / RCM the more the two Bordeaux wingers were switching sides (and gradually losing it).
Bamo played against one of them again, 6 years later in Ligue 1
Bamo being dynamic before receiving, on toes, so that he could adjust his reception and deceive in terms of timing of release to create another angle.
“manipulating” the opposition into looking at his shoulders as opposed to his feet.
Protect the goal, close down forwards.
Nathan was the Ryan Yates - the player you don’t know your team needs until you actually need to win a game. Enforcing the defensive game plan shall we say, but who got an early shower after half a dozen fouls.
Dark arts is a craft which he kept refining.
But see Bamo, alive on toes on the ball-goal line.
See also where he is now as of 2025 - obviously
Token recovery (the coin) if the midfielder slides into the channel to anticipate the turnover.
Evidence that the coaching was sinking in, I wasn’t pointing at him to do it.
Proably should’ve got rid of it down the line.
Same here: Bamo knew he had to cover the channel as both the wingback and CM were on their bike
A two touch 180° ; angle to receive could’ve been better but made the most out of it.
Diagonal carry after a banana drag to find a straight pass (weak foot) ; textbook
For a striker drifting wide, which is also one of the few things I believe in (the others are speed activation closest possible to kick off, sugarcoated pear jelly at the ready in my padded jacket - and CM covering the channel ball side)
I don’t have the start of the clip (and cba to clip it again, these are VLC media player clips I produced in 2019 from my own GoPro footage - whoever wants to succed has to put the work in).
Sensing a recovery with a perfect closing down angle
Bamo bouncing the recovery first time to “break the press” - hence the point to stay on toes ready to kick the ball.
A powerful block to start a counter
Bamo now plays as CB, position where I played him 9v11 for my first game as full time coach.
Two sending offs in 45’; still found a way to score 4 goals 2-1 down to win 5-2.
Bamo had 5 because I gave him Michael Essien’s number.
And he was winning the ball in the air for fun.
Proverbial “safety net CB” cutting off everything
The best CB in Ligue 1, alongside Todibo and Dante
My Rafik Lamptey take. Development isn’t linear, and playing levels afford different platforms to skillsets. He whom is a top flight wingback running up and down, can make an impression in midfield carrying the ball centrally a tier below.
This is as much a challenge of showing off some outstanding traits as it is to align with the demands of the role. A “technical” right back won’t bring more control in midfield if he’s unwilling to get stuck in out of possession. A tall player won’t dictate the tempo because he towers above everyone, you’ve got to nurture the inner flame to change the picture on the ball ; get a grasp on the game (as opposed to react to situations).
There’s bits to refine for Rafik Lamptey, but he covers ground quickly.
Improving the movement trajectory will tilt the balance of good benchmark actions presented here in favour of more success, as opposed to yellow card fracas.
Same goes for the first touch, sometimes great, sometimes a bit off.
I don’t know (nor am interested) to know what was the takeaway from Rafik Lamptey’s Watford years, I’m commenting on what’s before me. Was there inconsistent flashes, and / or was there things he does now that he didn’t do then.
For me, he looks to have skills conductive to make an impact in Football League footy, and we’ve seen how Millwall’s second wave scouting can empower stellar career rises whithin one year.
Ra'ees Bangura-Williams - Millwall U21s
Attackers who slip through the academy scouting net are always intriguing to follow, when they eventually earn their ticket into the train. It’s as much a challenge revolving around refining raw skills and ability, than it is one to maintain that different thinking and perspective that brought them here in the first place.
Existing as the brother of a professional footballer isn’t easy. I’ve coached cousins / brothers of international footballers and the last thing they need or wanna hear is “your brother dis and dat”.
Rafik is the brother of Tariq Lamptey who plays for Brighton
Nugget: Kyle Smith’s free kick.
The best footballer you’ve never heard of.
Yet to see him make a mistake on the pitch in over a dozen times watching live