Among French players, only Karim Benzema and Kévin Gameiro, both professional attackers, have surpassed Mangala’s goal-scoring record in European competitions this season.
Mangala’s contributions extend beyond scoring goals; he boasts a remarkable defensive record with a 79% success rate in duels. Additionally, he maintains an 85% pass success rate, highlighting his proficiency in ball recovery and distribution. In the league, he has also created 8 scoring chances for his teammates.
With such performances, Mangala is becoming an increasingly valuable asset for FC Porto. Despite facing suspensions for key players like Fernando and Jackson Martinez in the upcoming matches, Porto can rely on Mangala’s defensive solidity and occasional goal-scoring prowess.
His consistent performances could earn him a spot in the French national team under Didier Deschamps, especially considering the recent vulnerabilities of other defenders like Laurent Koscielny.
Tags: Africa, Eliaquim Mangala, FC Porto, football, France, Portugal, DRC, statistics