{"id":291599,"first_name":"Tiemoué","last_name":"Bakayoko","short_name":"T. Bakayoko","common_name":"Tiemoué Bakayoko","place_of_birth":"Paris","gender":"male","height":185,"weight":77,"status":"active","createdAt":"2024-11-07T15:38:12.429Z","updatedAt":"2025-06-10T13:56:39.997Z","locale":"en","age":30,"stb_id":"tiemoue-bakayoko","description":null,"tier":null,"common_name_en":"Tiemoué Bakayoko","top_position":null,"introduction":"Tiémoué Bakayoko, born on 17 August 1994, is a renowned French professional footballer known for his versatility as a defensive midfielder. Currently playing for the Super League Greece club PAOK, he has made significant contributions in various European football leagues. His career highlights include winning Ligue 1 with Monaco and being named in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season in 2016–17. Bakayoko's career also includes stints at top clubs like Chelsea, AC Milan, and Napoli, showcasing his adaptability across different leagues. Despite challenges, his physicality and tactical skill have earned him recognition at both club and international levels.","early_life_and_career":"\n## Early Years\nTiémoué Bakayoko was born in Paris, France, and began his football journey at a very young age. By the age of five, he was playing for Paris 15e Olympique, highlighting an early interest in the sport. His youth career saw him playing for various clubs, including CA Paris Charenton and Montrouge FC 92. Tragically, his childhood was marked by a broken leg, which sidelined him for eight months, a significant hurdle that he overcame to continue pursuing football.\n\n## Youth Career\nAt the age of 13, Bakayoko's talents were recognized by the academy at Rennes, where he joined to further refine his skills. Although he faced rejection from the Clairefontaine academy, his determination did not wane. His time at Rennes laid a strong foundation, culminating in a senior debut in 2013, which set him on the path to a professional career.","professional_career_and_highlights":"\n## Club Career\n\n### Rennes\nBakayoko's professional journey began at Rennes, where he made his Ligue 1 debut on 24 August 2013 against Évian TG, playing the entire match in a 2-1 victory.\n\n### Monaco\nIn July 2014, Bakayoko transferred to Monaco for £7 million. He initially faced challenges, including a strained relationship with manager Leonardo Jardim due to early substitutions and form issues. However, a pivotal turning point came in the 2016–17 season. With guidance from Claude Makélélé, Bakayoko transformed his approach both on and off the field, contributing significantly to Monaco's Ligue 1 triumph and a strong UEFA Champions League campaign, scoring a decisive goal against Manchester City.\n\n### Chelsea\nOn 15 July 2017, Bakayoko joined Chelsea for £40 million, marking him as the club's second most expensive signing at the time. Despite a promising debut against Tottenham Hotspur, his performances were inconsistent, leading to loan spells after the first season.\n\n#### Loan Spells and Subsequent Transfers\nAfter his initial season at Chelsea, Bakayoko was loaned to AC Milan, where his form improved after a rocky start. He returned to Monaco on loan, followed by a stint at Napoli under manager Gennaro Gattuso. A second loan to AC Milan ensued before he signed with Lorient in 2023 and subsequently joined PAOK in 2024.\n\n## National Team Career\n\n### Senior National Team\nBakayoko's sole appearance for the France senior national team came in March 2017, when he replaced Adrien Rabiot in a friendly against Spain. Despite only one cap, his potential at the international level was acknowledged through his call-up during the absence of Paul Pogba.","playing_style_and_skills":"\n## Player Characteristics\nBakayoko is highly regarded for his comprehensive skill set that mirrors the attributes of legendary midfielder Yaya Touré. Known for his strong physical presence, Bakayoko excels in intercepting passes and managing the rhythm of the game. Although primarily a defensive midfielder, his ability to make forward runs classifies him as a 'box-to-box' midfielder. His physical power and strategic intelligence have been praised by managers like Leonardo Jardim and Didier Deschamps.\n\n## Performance Statistics\nDue to the varied nature of his career across multiple leagues and clubs, precise seasonal statistics are expansive, detailing an extensive number of club appearances, with contributions in both domestic and European competitions.\n\n## Records\nHis individual records include being named in the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season, reflecting his immense impact during Monaco's successful campaign.","notable_achievements":"\n## Achievements\n\n### Team Achievements\n- **Monaco**: Ligue 1 champion (2016–17)\n- **Chelsea**: FA Cup winner (2017–18)\n- **AC Milan**: Serie A title (2021–22)\n\n### Individual Achievements\n- UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season (2016–17)\n\n## Awards and Recognition\nBakayoko's contributions, especially during Monaco's triumphant season, have earned him significant recognition, marking him as one of the pivotal players in the team's remarkable achievements.","impact_on_sport":"\n## Career Overview\nBakayoko's career is a testament to resilience and adaptation, characterized by success across some of Europe's top leagues. His contributions to Monaco's Ligue 1 victory and positive stints in Serie A underscore his impact on the field.\n\n## Off the Field\nLimited information on Bakayoko's off-field activities is available, except for a notable incident in 2022 involving a case of mistaken identity by Milan police.\n\n## Personal Life\nOf Ivorian descent, Tiémoué Bakayoko has navigated his professional journey while maintaining a connection to his roots. Personal challenges, including an early leg injury, have shaped his determined character, contributing to his tenacity and success in professional football.","stb_internal_id":"01930746-aa4a-7c8b-8fde-8ec132182008","overrides":null,"type_code":"midfielder","position_type_code":"midfielder","detailed_position_type_code":"defensive-midfied","roles":"player","has_biography":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":null,"has_article_relations":false,"has_social_media_relations":false,"introduction_html":"

Tiémoué Bakayoko, born on 17 August 1994, is a renowned French professional footballer known for his versatility as a defensive midfielder. Currently playing for the Super League Greece club PAOK, he has made significant contributions in various European football leagues. His career highlights include winning Ligue 1 with Monaco and being named in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season in 2016–17. Bakayoko's career also includes stints at top clubs like Chelsea, AC Milan, and Napoli, showcasing his adaptability across different leagues. Despite challenges, his physicality and tactical skill have earned him recognition at both club and international levels.

\n","early_life_and_career_html":"

Early Years

Tiémoué Bakayoko was born in Paris, France, and began his football journey at a very young age. By the age of five, he was playing for Paris 15e Olympique, highlighting an early interest in the sport. His youth career saw him playing for various clubs, including CA Paris Charenton and Montrouge FC 92. Tragically, his childhood was marked by a broken leg, which sidelined him for eight months, a significant hurdle that he overcame to continue pursuing football.

Youth Career

At the age of 13, Bakayoko's talents were recognized by the academy at Rennes, where he joined to further refine his skills. Although he faced rejection from the Clairefontaine academy, his determination did not wane. His time at Rennes laid a strong foundation, culminating in a senior debut in 2013, which set him on the path to a professional career.

\n","professional_career_and_highlights_html":"

Club Career

Rennes

Bakayoko's professional journey began at Rennes, where he made his Ligue 1 debut on 24 August 2013 against Évian TG, playing the entire match in a 2-1 victory.

Monaco

In July 2014, Bakayoko transferred to Monaco for £7 million. He initially faced challenges, including a strained relationship with manager Leonardo Jardim due to early substitutions and form issues. However, a pivotal turning point came in the 2016–17 season. With guidance from Claude Makélélé, Bakayoko transformed his approach both on and off the field, contributing significantly to Monaco's Ligue 1 triumph and a strong UEFA Champions League campaign, scoring a decisive goal against Manchester City.

Chelsea

On 15 July 2017, Bakayoko joined Chelsea for £40 million, marking him as the club's second most expensive signing at the time. Despite a promising debut against Tottenham Hotspur, his performances were inconsistent, leading to loan spells after the first season.

Loan Spells and Subsequent Transfers

After his initial season at Chelsea, Bakayoko was loaned to AC Milan, where his form improved after a rocky start. He returned to Monaco on loan, followed by a stint at Napoli under manager Gennaro Gattuso. A second loan to AC Milan ensued before he signed with Lorient in 2023 and subsequently joined PAOK in 2024.

National Team Career

Senior National Team

Bakayoko's sole appearance for the France senior national team came in March 2017, when he replaced Adrien Rabiot in a friendly against Spain. Despite only one cap, his potential at the international level was acknowledged through his call-up during the absence of Paul Pogba.

\n","playing_style_and_skills_html":"

Player Characteristics

Bakayoko is highly regarded for his comprehensive skill set that mirrors the attributes of legendary midfielder Yaya Touré. Known for his strong physical presence, Bakayoko excels in intercepting passes and managing the rhythm of the game. Although primarily a defensive midfielder, his ability to make forward runs classifies him as a 'box-to-box' midfielder. His physical power and strategic intelligence have been praised by managers like Leonardo Jardim and Didier Deschamps.

Performance Statistics

Due to the varied nature of his career across multiple leagues and clubs, precise seasonal statistics are expansive, detailing an extensive number of club appearances, with contributions in both domestic and European competitions.

Records

His individual records include being named in the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season, reflecting his immense impact during Monaco's successful campaign.

\n","notable_achievements_html":"

Achievements

Team Achievements

Monaco: Ligue 1 champion (2016–17)
Chelsea: FA Cup winner (2017–18)
AC Milan: Serie A title (2021–22)

Individual Achievements

UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season (2016–17)

Awards and Recognition

Bakayoko's contributions, especially during Monaco's triumphant season, have earned him significant recognition, marking him as one of the pivotal players in the team's remarkable achievements.

\n","impact_on_sport_html":"

Career Overview

Bakayoko's career is a testament to resilience and adaptation, characterized by success across some of Europe's top leagues. His contributions to Monaco's Ligue 1 victory and positive stints in Serie A underscore his impact on the field.

Off the Field

Limited information on Bakayoko's off-field activities is available, except for a notable incident in 2022 involving a case of mistaken identity by Milan police.

Personal Life

Of Ivorian descent, Tiémoué Bakayoko has navigated his professional journey while maintaining a connection to his roots. Personal challenges, including an early leg injury, have shaped his determined character, contributing to his tenacity and success in professional football.

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Tiemoué Bakayoko: Statistics