Taiwo Awoniyi: Union Berlin's Nigerian Target Man

Thanks to Football Manager, the average football fan can differentiate the many different types of centre forwards and the specific requirement attached to each role. The categories such as ‘Advanced Forward’, ‘Target Man’, ‘Deep Lying Forward’, ‘Poacher’ etc have been used to accurately describe strikers based on the qualities they possess.

However, the popular coaching simulation game does not account for players who fit into more than one category.  One of such strikers who fit multiple descriptions is Taiwo Awoniyi; the Nigerian centre forward making waves in Germany with Union Berlin. 

Standing at just over 6 feet tall and officially listed as weighing 78kg (looks like he weighs more, to be honest), Taiwo Awoniyi looks like a target man and plays like it too. He uses his physique to his advantage a lot, wearing out opposition centre backs and spending time with his back to goal. But unlike most target men, that’s not all he does.

Awoniyi also plays like an advanced forward, full of running and often willing to drift wide and give the fullbacks a torrid time as well. The Nigerian switches effortlessly between both styles of play depending on how Union Berlin are attacking at the time.