Yankuba Minteh The ‘Gambian Messi’ Shining for Brighton

Yankuba Minteh has been a regular for Brighton & Hove Albion in the 2024/25 Premier League season, playing 20 matches, scoring five goals, and providing two assists. He has been used in multiple positions but primarily operates as a right winger. Despite often coming off the bench, he has contributed significantly, ranking third in Brighton’s top scorers list this season.

Minteh’s attacking ability makes him a dangerous player, especially when dribbling, cutting inside, and finishing chances. However, his discipline, passing accuracy, and ball retention need improvement.

His best performance came in a 3-0 win against Chelsea on February 14, where he scored twice and provided three key passes. However, he has struggled for consistency, particularly in matches where he played fewer minutes.

Performance Summary

• Matches Played: 20 (9 starts, 11 as a substitute)
• Goals: 5
• Assists: 2
• Total Minutes Played: 924
• Brighton’s Top Scorer Rank: Tied for 3rd

Minteh has shown flashes of brilliance, especially in his recent performances. His standout match came against Chelsea on February 14, where he scored twice. He also scored against Manchester United in a 3-1 win on January 19.

Playing Style & Strengths

Minteh is an exciting attacking player with a direct style. He loves to dribble, cut inside, and take on defenders. His ability to beat opponents one-on-one makes him a major threat in Brighton’s attack. His attacking mindset makes him a threat, and he has also shown a strong defensive work rate.

One of his biggest strengths is dribbling. He completes over three successful take-ons per game, ranking among the best in the league. His finishing is also impressive, with 0.48 non-penalty goals per 90 minutes, placing him in the top tier of attackers.

Minteh also has a good eye for creating chances. His expected assisted goals (xAG) is high, showing that he can deliver key passes to teammates in dangerous areas. When he has space to run into, he can be a game-changer.

Key Strengths:

• Dribbling – Completes 3.01 successful take-ons per 90 minutes, ranking in the 96th percentile among players.
• Finishing – His 0.48 non-penalty goals per 90 minutes put him in the 93rd percentile, showing he is a reliable goal scorer.
• Key Passes & Creativity – He has a high expected assisted goals (xAG) rate of 0.31, ranking in the 88th percentile.
• Defensive Work Rate – He contributes 2.13 tackles per 90 (84th percentile) and makes 1.26 blocks per 90 (82nd percentile).

His work ethic and defensive contributions make him valuable both in attack and when pressing opponents.

Weaknesses & Areas for Improvement

Despite his talent, Minteh has areas that need improvement:

• Discipline Issues – He struggles with maintaining composure and can be overly aggressive in duels.
• Passing & Retention – His pass completion rate (60.6%) is very low (4th percentile), and he struggles with holding onto the ball under pressure.
• Crossing – Though he likes to cross, his success rate is inconsistent, limiting his effectiveness as a wide playmaker.

Positional Analysis

Minteh has played in multiple positions this season. He has featured mostly as a right winger, either in an attacking or midfield role. When playing as an attacking midfielder (AMF), he has been effective, scoring and assisting. As a right midfielder (RMF), he has also contributed well.

Interestingly, he played one match as a right-back (RB) and scored twice, receiving an outstanding rating. This shows his versatility and ability to impact the game from deeper positions. However, in central attacking midfield (AMF) and left midfield (LMF), he has struggled to make a significant impact.

He has been used as a substitute in more than half of his appearances. While he has scored as a sub, he generally performs better when starting. His best performances came when he played longer minutes, such as against Chelsea and Manchester United.

Recent Match Performances

Minteh’s best game was against Chelsea on February 14, where he played as a right-back, scored twice, and delivered three key passes. Before that, he scored against Manchester United in a 3-1 victory on January 19. He also provided a shot and an assist against Arsenal on January 4.

However, in other matches, especially when coming off the bench, his impact has been limited. Against Everton on January 25, he played only nine minutes and had no goal contributions. Similarly, in games against Brentford, West Ham, and Crystal Palace, he played limited minutes and struggled to make an impact.

Final Thoughts

Yankuba Minteh is a talented young winger with great potential. His dribbling, finishing, and defensive contributions make him a valuable asset for Brighton. When he has space to run into, he is a dangerous attacker who can create and score goals.

However, he needs to improve his discipline, passing, and decision-making under pressure. If he can work on these weaknesses, he has the potential to become a top-level winger. His performances in key matches, like against Chelsea and Manchester United, show that he can deliver when given opportunities.

At just 20 years old, Minteh has plenty of time to develop. If he continues improving, he could become one of Brighton’s key players or even attract interest from bigger clubs in the future. For now, he remains a promising talent with exciting attacking qualities.