Dilane Bakwa: Strasbourg’s Precocious Young Winger Destined for Stardom
Player Background: Early Career and Development
In a Ligue 1 landscape that often shines its light on tricky and exciting wingers like Désiré Doué, Bradley Barcola, and Ousmane Dembélé, Dilane Bakwa is steadily carving out a name for himself at Strasbourg.
Known for his flair and direct attacking style, Bakwa is becoming a well-recognised talent among followers of the league. His journey from the lower tiers of French football to Ligue 1 exemplifies a player with determination, raw talent, and high potential.
Racing Club de Strasbourg: The History Behind Les Bleu et Blanc
Dilane Bakwa was born in Vitry-sur-Seine, a commune in the southeast suburbs of Paris. The capital, referred to as a “hotbed” for young French players, offered Bakwa an early stage to develop his skills. He was first spotted at Lusitanos Saint-Maur before joining the Academy of Bordeaux in 2015 at the age of 12.
Bakwa progressed through Bordeaux’s youth system and made his professional debut on September 27, 2020, in a 0–0 Ligue 1 fixture against Nice. He continued to glimpses of his promise, which earned him a €10 million move to Strasbourg in August 2023 under the Clearlake Capital Group’s ownership. This move marked a milestone in his career, providing him with the platform to grow in a team that values young attacking talent.
Tactical Analysis
Primarily operating as a right winger, Bakwa has also shown tactical versatility by playing on the left and occasionally in central attacking roles. His most defining characteristics revolve around his flair, confidence, and ability to beat defenders through one-on-one situations.
Bakwa likes to take on his direct opponent, frequently leaving them behind with his close control and body feints. His stand-start dribbling style—a hallmark of his game—allows him to past defenders with ease and create space for himself or his teammates.
Bakwa’s ability to deceive defenders is excellent. He averages 4.55 shot-creating actions per 90 and draws 3.13 fouls per 90. His dual ability to either hug the byline and whip in crosses (5.87 crosses per game) or cut inside to deliver a pass from the half-space makes him unpredictable and a constant threat.
His play often forces opposition full-backs to stay occupied, creating opportunities for marauding overlaps. Bakwa excels in carrying the ball into dangerous areas, averaging 2.74 carries into the final third per 90. His purposeful dribbling is not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly effective in leading counterattacks and assessing his options.
In an away league win versus Toulouse in January, we can see what Bakwa brings to Strasbourg. In this sequence, Bakwa shows his dangerous ball-carrying and decision-making in transition. Positioned wide on the right, Bakwa receives the ball under pressure from the opposing defender, Ümraniye Akdağ.
His body orientation and subtle feint show two possibilities: carry the ball centrally or along the touchline. He chooses to take on Akdağ down the byline. This movement forces the defender to commit, creating a momentary imbalance and gaps in the defensive line.
While Bakwa’s game is built on flair and creativity, there are areas that need refinement. He is heavily reliant on his left foot, which can make him predictable in certain situations. Developing his weaker foot would unlock a wider range of possibilities, such as finishing from tighter angles and improving link-up play.
His game also requires more consistency in dribbling success, as his 41.4% success rate in dribbles shows room for improvement. Becoming more relentless in demanding the ball and refining his decision-making after initial failures will elevate his game further.
Additionally, while Bakwa has been productive with two goals and five assists in 18 appearances this season, his goal-scoring output has the potential to increase. As an inverted winger, adding clinical finishing to his repertoire could transform him into a more complete winger.
Player Comparison
Bakwa’s style is reminiscent of Noni Madueke at Chelsea. Both players share a raw, fearless approach to dribbling and a high ceiling if coached correctly. Like Madueke, Bakwa likes to cut inside or beat defenders down the byline. However, both players require refinement in their end product.
Unlike inside forwards like Alejandro Garnacho or Anthony Gordon, Bakwa is less reliant on pace and prefers the ball to feet rather than exploiting space and balls in-behind. This makes him more suited to teams that rely on a creative wide player who can be multifunctional and allow runners from different positions. Clubs like Aston Villa or Newcastle United could be ideal destinations for him in the future.
Future Outlook
Bakwa’s immediate focus will be on maintaining his form and consistency as Strasbourg pushes for a potential European spot. If he can deliver performances in the latter stages of the season, he could very well attract interest across Europe. One of Strasbourg’s first signings under Blueco ownership, it’s evident that their investment has already paid off.
On the international stage, Bakwa has already represented France at youth levels, but with competition fierce in the senior setup, his inclusion in Didier Deschamps’ squad will depend on how he develops over the next few seasons. Alternatively, the Democratic Republic of Congo could look to secure his allegiance, where he would be a key figure in their emerging national team.
Dilane Bakwa is an exciting talent who is the essence of a creative winger. His flair, dribbling, and ability to consistently create chances make him a source of shot- and goal-creating actions in Strasbourg and a potential target for bigger clubs. He is not the finished article, but there is plenty of promise and artistry waiting to be unlocked.
By: @gillikas
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / FEP / Icon Sport