Ridle Baku: Germany’s Rising Young Fullback

Ridle Baku has enjoyed a seismic rise over the past 12 months, swapping relegation-threatened Mainz 05 for Champions League football at the Volkswagen Arena. At an age where many of his peers are just beginning to take their first steps in the Bundesliga, Baku has already started over 75 topflight matches, won a U21 European Championship, and narrowly missed out on Germany’s Euro 2020 squad.

With summer interest from PSG & Bayern, it won't be long before Baku is tearing up the pitch for Hansi Flick’s national team and competing for silverware at one of Europe's elite. In this player analysis, we delve deep into the features which have made Baku an influential presence for VFL Wolfsburg, and why he could become the future at right back for the German national team.

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The 23-year old Mainz native has often been compared to Naby Keita and Philipp Lahm in the past, two players who share little in common, but whose differing skillsets are expressed as one in the form of Ridle Baku. As for the comparison with Keita, Baku personifies his energy and ability to carry possession forward.