Victor Wanyama

 

{Player Profile Updated 01/09/2012}







Date of Birth: - 25th of June 1991.



Height: - 6 ft 2 in.



Nationality: - Kenyan.



Position: - defensive midfielder or center back.



Current Club: - Celtic.



Estimated Market Value: - around 8 million pounds.



Linked with: - Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham (smaller reported interest from QPR, Newcastle and Stoke)







Club Career:



-Wanyama signed for Belgian club Beerschot AC on a four-year contract in summer 2008.



-He made his debut in a League match at the end of the 2008/2009 season.



-Celtic and CSKA Moscow attempted to sign him in the summer of 2010 but failed.



-Wanyama scored his first goal for Beerschot on the 11th of December 2010 against Westerlo.



-During his time at the club Wanyama was given a three match ban twice for elbowing a player and for a violent tackle.



-On the 9th of July 2011, Wanyama completed a 900,000 pound move to Celtic and He signed a four-year contract.



-Wanyama made his Celtic league debut in a 1-0 loss to St. Johnstone on the 21st of August 2011.



-On the 29th of September 2011, he made his European debut for the club starting in Celtic's 1-1 draw with Italian team Udinese in the Europa League.



-On the 10th of December 2011, Wanyama scored his first goal for Celtic in a 1-0 win over Hearts at Celtic Park, a tremendous 25-yard strike which hit the top corner.



-His performances during December earned him the Scottish Premier League young player of the month award.







International Career:



-Wanyama made his debut for Kenya aged just 15 in a friendly against Nigeria in May 2007.



-He also played in all six of Kenya's 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.



-overall he has played 29 times for his country scoring once.





Club Statistics





Beerschot AC:

2008/2009 season - 1 appearance, 0 goals

2009/2010 season - 20 appearances, 0 goals.

2010/2011 season - 34 appearances, 2 goals.



Celtic:

2011/2012 season - 41 appearances, 4 goals.

2012/2013 season - 1 appearances, 0 goals.





International Statistics:

Kenya - 29 appearances, 1 goal.









General Comments:



Victor Wanyama is a very strong and fast player in the middle of the park, he's almost like a young Essien, a powerhouse. Aged only 21, he defiantly could be a star in the future but I think he should stay at Celtic a bit long because i feel these big clubs supposedly after him wouldn't give him a chance to develop, he wouldn't get enough game time.



Lets move on to his strengths, He is a very strong tackler, he is always determined to get the ball. (sometimes a bit to much, but we will move on to that in a minute) Versatility, he can play at center back or center midfield, and for me he never seems tired, and I have watched his a few times, this helps him get around the pitch and get the ball back. (another likeness to a young Michael Essien) and Wanyama also has a great shot on him when he goes forward as we seen against Hearts last season.



Now, Wanyama's weaknesses. The fact that he wants to win the ball back so much sometimes goes against him as he lunges for the ball in situation where he simply cant get it and he sometimes hits out at players. Wanyama also makes a lot of mistakes when he's playing in defense, He is defiantly a midfielder not a center back. Finally, he doesn't release the ball to the attackers fast enough on some occasions.



Overall I wouldn't worry about Wanyama's weaknesses to much, as he is young and has time to work on them. As the season went on last year, I defiantly saw an improvement in his game and there is still room for more improvements. If Wanyama continues to grow as a player at the rate he is then there is no doubt he is destined for a top club. Will he make it in the Premier League? Yes in the future I think he can he has all the right quality's, but not right now. He should stay at Celtic for a few years and get game time.



If I have missed anything out in this profile please leave a comment, we are always looking for feedback on the player or even on ways to improve the profile so all you have to do is leave a comment. Thanks.







Summary of Wanyama:





Strengths - tackling, pace, power, determination, versatility, never seems tired and shooting.



Weaknesses - Lunges for the ball when there's no way of winning it, Defensive errors and Doesn't release attackers fast enough.









The Business End of the Profile.



A number of big clubs looked at Wanyama over the summer, but none made that big push for the player. Arsenal made a bid a couple of days before the window was shut, and that was that. He stays at Celtic. However, if he continues to improve and perform for Celtic, then expect him to move next summer.



Thanks.



Ed053-}









{Ed022's Note - I would just like to add that a bid has been placed from Arsenal for Wanyama, and I am unaware if this bid has been accepted or rejected. However, as of today (the 3rd) I would say Arsenal seems a likely destination for Wanyama.}