Features
FRI 11.12.2015
The French-born forward Bakambu, who has opted to represent the Democratic Republic of Congo at international level, is their leading scorer in LaLiga with six goals, and in the Europa League with three.
The 24-year-old came up through the Sochaux youth academy in France, but really made people sit up and take notice when he struck 21 goals in 39 league and Cup games with Turkey’s Bursapor last season.
FINAL | @fcviktorkaplzen 3-3 @VillarrealCF (Kolář, Kovařík, Hořava; @Bakambu17, @jona2santos, Bruno Soriano) #UEL pic.twitter.com/FfZEn89YTx
— LaLiga (@LaLiga) December 10, 2015
Bakambu had a tough act to follow when he landed in Spain, as Marcelino’s side remodeled their entire frontline and he had to help replace players such as Luciano Vietto, Giovani Dos Santos and Ikechukwu Uche.
He quickly settled though, and has started to hit his stride after almost four months of competition.
Bakambu netted against Huesca in the Copa del Rey at the beginning of the month, scored both goals in Villarreal’s 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano last weekend and again in the Europa League against Viktoria Plezn on Thursday.
While much of the attention may be on Villarreal’s experienced striker Roberto Soldado when he faces his former club Real Madrid on Sunday, Bakambu’s four goals in his last three games mark him out as one to watch at the Madrigal.
© LALIGA - 2015