Vakoun Bayo

Key strength: Link-up play

Target man

Vakoun Bayo arrives at Udinese Calcio amid challenging circumstances, with the club sitting 9th in the table and seeking consistency from their forward line. The 29-year-old Ivorian striker, valued at €3.5 million, has made 4 appearances totaling 270 minutes this season, yet remains goalless and assistless—a stark contrast to his 'target man' designation and link-up play strengths. Operating in a squad featuring higher-rated attackers like Nicolò Zaniolo (75) and Idrissa Gueye (70), Bayo finds himself battling for prominence in a crowded forward rotation. His FIFA attributes—55 pace, 55 shooting, and 45 physicality—paint a picture of a player still adapting to Serie A demands. With Udinese's form showing inconsistency, Bayo represents an untapped resource: a target man capable of holding up play and bringing teammates into attacks. Whether he can convert his target man qualities into tangible contributions remains the pressing question as the season unfolds.