Yevhen Olehovych Konoplyanka is a Ukrainian professional footballer who plays as a winger for both Sevilla FC and the Ukrainian National team, he scored 45 goals in 211 across all competitions for the club. The high point of his career at Dnipro was helping them to a UEFA Europa League final in 2015. He subsequently joined the winners of that final Sevilla on a free transfer in July 2015. Yevhen Olehovych Konoplyanka has been a part of the National squad since 2010 his 40 caps and 11 international goals have earned him the Ukrainian Footballer of the Year three times.
Yevhen is a pacey agile winger capable of filling any role as an attacking midfielder, he is a multi-talented multi-purpose wide player capable of filling the shoes of any player. He is reminiscent of the close control and the improvisational ability of Eden Hazard, but is yet some development away from reaching that level.
Strength
Yevhen is a classic modern inside forward, his greatest strength lies in the ability to leave defenders behind with his electrifying pace and yet maintain close control of the ball. Even though most defenders know the course of action of Konoplyanka it is very hard to counter it, as executing the actions against him are a mighty difficult task.
Weakness
With Konoplyanka’s exceptional forward skill, comes a downside, the apparent lack of defensive knowledge, in today’s modern game forwards are expected to assist in defending when the ball is in their own half. The European game demands a complete player as it has become physical now more than ever, and a player is required to hold his own against physical players. Whether Konoplyanka can adapt to the physical needs of the game is a question that needs to be asked and Konoplyanka has to answer that with his play.
Konoplyanka prefers a wide left berth without the added defensive responsibilities if there are two strikers on the field. Konoplyanka is a classic number 10 and would suit well into any team and provide substantial backup for senior players. He is a player most clubs wouldn’t want to miss out on signing if the opportunity arises. Konoplyanka is also a Karate black belt and has practiced the sport since he was seven years old, which has immensely contributed to his speed and agility
If Konoplyanka was to join Tottenham he would be an instant hit, his pace would be a huge bonus for the team and would fit right into the philosophy of Mauricio Pochettino. Konoplyanka is a definite upgrade from his competitors in the side Nacer Chadli who has only 3 goals and 2 assists in the premier league and Heung Min Son who has only 2 goals and 1 assist. Konoplyanka would reduce the burden of scoring goals from Tottenham’s wonder kid Harry Kane. Making both him and Kane play more freely, and prevent another slide in form for Harry Kane like the one he had for the good part of the starting of this season.
After declining the offer of a Tottenham signing and joining Sevilla instead and then speaking ill about the English Premier league, Konoplyanka is lucky enough to be going under the scouting process by a team who is doing so well this season and will be a fool to not accept the offer this time.
