Issa Diop: The numbers behind his impressive 2017/18 season

Issa Diop

The numbers behind Issa Diop's impressive 2017/18 season suggest he is ready to shine with West Ham United.

West Ham paid a Club record fee to take the 21-year-old Frenchman from Toulouse, as Diop formed half of the Hammers' double transfer this week, with goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski also joining from Swansea City.

Centre back Diop racked up 95 Ligue 1 appearances for Toulouse, despite his young age, and his key statistics from the campaign show exactly why the east Londoners brought him to London Stadium.

In a piece for premierleague.com's Fantasy Premier League Scout, the numbers suggest Diop will play his part in improving the team's defensive record.

He made 43 successful tackles last term - almost double that of the best number achieved by a Hammers centre back in 2017/18.

Meanwhile, he also proved himself to be adept on the ball, completing an average of 79.5 per cent of his passes per match.

It is not only at the defensive end of the pitch that Diop could shine.

He also notched three goals in his 34 Ligue 1 appearances last term, coming from 19 shots - 17 of which were in set-piece situations.

Only Aaron Cresswell, with 21 shots, bettered that return among Hammers defenders. 

So Diop's ability to mix goals with his defensive solidity and confidence in possession should help him to make the transition to the Premier League.

Read more in the Fantasy Premier League Scout at this link.