The 19-year-old midfielder is discovering European football this season at Anderlecht and he has already played several games with the Belgian side’s first-team. He can be a one-to-watch during the Toulon Tournament 2017.
March 2015, African Cup of Nations U17 : a pivotal moment for Idrissa Doumbia. Despite the struggles of Ivory Coast during the competition, the young midfielder has distinguished himself as he netted 2 goals in the group stage.
His fine performances have attracted the interest of the Belgium’s biggest club : RSC Anderlecht. The “Mauves” have decided to give a trial to Doumbia just after the African Cup of Nations and the Ivorian midfielder has impressed the staff as well as the Anderlecht players. Including the Belgium international Anthony Van den Borre.
“After a training session, he talked to me and said : ‘You can go very far in your career. Honestly, you can play in this team. {…] Before to leave, Anthony told me that I have everything to succeed. But I had to be more concentrated and work a little bit more. He added also that it took a long time to players like Yaya Toure to do what I was doing with Anderlecht. He said that I can surpass him”, Doumbia revealed to RTBF.
From the Ivorian Second League to Anderlecht
Convinced by the talent of the Ivorian, Anderlecht offered a 5-year-contract to Doumbia when he was 18 in April 2016. After few years spent at Entente Sportive de Bingerville (Ivorian second league), it was time for Doumbia to discover European football.
This season, Doumbia has already played 5 games in all competitions with Anderlecht including two Europa League matches against Slavia Praha (3-0) and Qabala (3-1). Rated as the new Yaya Toure by some observers, the 19-year-midfielder could be one of the marquee names of the Toulon Tournament 2017.
Amayes Brahmi -