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Line 15: Line 15:
| youthclubs2 = Diaraaf Dakar
| youthclubs2 = Diaraaf Dakar
| youthclubs3 = Vevey Sports
| youthclubs3 = Vevey Sports
| years1 = 1996–2000
| years1 = 2000–2001
| years2 = 2000–2001
| years2 = 2001–2002
| years3 = 2002–2004
| years3 = 2002–2004
| years4 = 2004–2007
| years4 = 2004–2007
Line 28: Line 28:
| clubs6 = [[AEK Athens F.C.|AEK Athens]]
| clubs6 = [[AEK Athens F.C.|AEK Athens]]
| currentclub = [[AEK Athens F.C.|AEK Athens]]
| currentclub = [[AEK Athens F.C.|AEK Athens]]
| caps1 = 69
| caps1 = 19
| goals1 = 9
| goals1 = 4
| caps2 = 38
| caps2 = 39
| goals2 = 5
| goals2 = 5
| caps3 = 71
| caps3 = 46
| goals3 = 6
| goals3 = 6
| caps4 = 104
| caps4 = 76
| goals4 = 11
| goals4 = 8
| caps5 = 92
| caps5 = 53
| caps6 = 37
| goals5 = 0
| goals5 = 5
| caps6 = 19
| goals6 = 4
| goals6 = 1
| nationalyears1 = 1999–
| nationalyears1 = 1999–
| nationalteam1 = [[Senegal national football team|Senegal]]
| nationalteam1 = [[Senegal national football team|Senegal]]

Revision as of 14:00, 4 June 2011

Papa Bouba Diop
Personal information
Full name Papa Bouba Diop
Height 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
Position(s) Defensive midfielder / Centre Back
Team information
Current team
 AEK Athens
Number 21
Youth career
1993–1994 Espoir Dakar
1994–1995 Diaraaf Dakar
1995–1996 Vevey Sports
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2001 Neuchâtel Xamax 19 (4)
2001–2002 Grasshoppers 39 (5)
2002–2004 Lens 46 (6)
2004–2007 Fulham 76 (8)
2007–2010 Portsmouth 53 (0)
2010– AEK Athens 19 (1)
International career‡
1999– Senegal 63 (11)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:46, 16 May 2010 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 12:00, 31 May 2006 (UTC)

Papa Bouba Diop (born 28 January 1978 in Dakar) is a Senegalese footballer, who currently plays for the Senegal national football team, and for AEK Athens. His preferred position is defensive midfield but can also play as a centre back were he previously played at Lens. His nickname is "The Wardrobe", given to him by Fulham fans, due to his height and large frame.

Diop is well known for his strength and aggression, long-range shots, solid style of play and his leadership. His playing style and ability have drawn comparisons to Patrick Vieira.

Former Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez believes that Diop had all the attributes to become one of the best midfielders in the Premiership. Lawrie Sanchez stated, "There's no reason why Bouba can't get himself up to being one of the best centre midfield players in the Premiership and that's where I see his long-term position. I've seen Diop play over the years and he has all the attributes to be a top-class midfielder".[1]

Match of the Day football analyst Alan Hansen stated that Diop is "One of the most solid midfield players in Europe, who is hugely underrated."

Career

Papa Boupa Diop started his professional career at Swiss side Neuchâtel Xamax at the age of 18. Grasshoppers scouts were impressed with Boupa Diop's performances and earned him a move to the Swiss Super League. After his success in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Boupa Diop signed with Ligue 1 side RC Lens for €1.8m. After 2-years in France, Diop move to the Premier League to play for Fulham.

Fulham

After his impressive performances for Lens, Papa Boupa Diop signed with Premier League team Fulham for £6m signing a 4-year deal, despite interest from Manchester United during the transfer window in January 2003, but the Red Devils were put off by the price tag. Diop made his debut against Everton F.C. playing the full 90 minutes. Diop scored his first goal for Fulham against West Ham scoring the only goal in the match. Diop also scored a 30-yard shot against Manchester United and was given the Man of the match award. The following week Diop played an important role as he assisted Louis Saha scoring a late equalizer in a derby match against Southampton F.C. away at St Mary's Stadium.

For his performances during the 2005–06 season, Diop was nominated "Fulham Player Of The Year" award, despite playing in a defensive midfielder role. Diop became a fan favourite and had his name chanted during matches, Diop also had a banner lifted by the Fulham fans at the Hammersmith End and took up the majority of the stand.

Former manager Chris Coleman described Diop as a great leader with inspiration and passion. In 2005, Diop was appointed as captain by Coleman until his long term injury due to hamstring, foot, and back problems, missing a short part of the 2006-07 playing 26 Premier League matches and lost his captaincy to Danny Murphy. In January 2007 Wigan Athletic made a £5million bid for the midfielder but Diop decided against the move and stayed with Fulham, helping them to avoid relegation in the 2006/07 season.[2] After 3 years at Craven Cottage he transferred to Portsmouth on transfer deadline day. Diop finished his Fulham career playing 104 matches scoring 11 goals.[3]

Portsmouth

In 2007 Diop transferred to Portsmouth on the transfer deadline day for £3.5m signing a 5-year deal and was given the number 8. Former Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp described Diop as an excellent midfielder with a winner's mentality and that he would fit into Portsmouth's squad very well. Diop made his debut against Bolton Wanderers. Diop scored his first goal against Manchester City, scoring the winning goal. Since joining Portsmouth, Diop has become a regular starter and kept his place in the team for 3 years and has scored 5 goals in 92 matches. In 2007, AC Milan took interested in the Senegalese midfielder and made a £4m bid for Diop, however AC Milan withdrew interest and signed Mathieu Flamini on a free transfer.

Papa Bouba Diop was a key player in winning the 2008 FA Cup final and played a solid, defensive game and made some cruical tackles. Following Portsmouth's relegation, Diop was said to be most likely released, and he it was said he was already in negotiations with AEK Athens F.C.. However Portsmouth's Administrator Andrew Andronikou has revealed that Diop will only be leaving for a fee of £1m.[4] However Portsmouth agreed to a €300,000 offer from AEK Athens on the 10/7/10.

AEK Athens

On July 13, 2010, Diop agreed on terms with AEK Athens signing a 2+1 year deal earning €900,000 per year, plus bonuses,[5] despite interest from Fulham, Celtic and Paris Saint-Germain.[6]

After signing with AEK, Diop stated, "I am very pleased signing for AEK, my expectations are to win trophies, AEK is a huge club who plays in Europe consistently. I was very surprised with the way the AEK fans greeted me at the Venizelos airport and I hope I can do my best for the club"

Diop made his debut for AEK Athens against Dundee United on the 19/8/10, Diop did not play the full 90 minutes as he was not fully fit recovering from his injuries. Diop scored his first Super League goal against PAOK F.C., the match finished 4-0 to AEK. Bouba Diop finished the season only playing 19 games due to constant injuries. On 30/4/11 Diop won the Greek Cup with AEK in a 0-3 win against Atromitos and was a key player in the victory playing a very solid game. Diop also scored 2 goals against PAOK in the Superleague Greece play-off's giving AEK the 3-0 lead. Diop was also rewarded the MVP award.

International career

Bouba Diop got his first call up to the Senegal national squad in 1999, at the age of 21, while playing for Neuchâtel Xamax in the Swiss Super League. He is perhaps most well-known for scoring the first goal of 2002 FIFA World Cup against France, which resulted in the 1–0 defeat of the then reigning World champions and ultimately, their early elimination from the tournament, in which Senegal reached the quarter-finals. He ended the tournament with three goals, having also scored twice against Uruguay. Diop has played 63 times for Senegal scoring 11 goals.[7]

Style of play

Diop usually plays in a defensive role in midfield, Diop is known for breaking up opposition attacks before they gather momentum. In this role, he is a part of the defensive unit for both club and country. He's advantages are, strong and aggressive challenges, solid defending and his long distance shots. Diop's only disadvantage is his lack of pace. Diop's style of play combined with his large frame have earned him comparisons with the former Arsenal midfield star Patrick Vieira.

Statistics

Last updated 3 August 2010

Season Club Competition Apps Goals
1996/97 Neuchâtel Xamax Switzerland Swiss Challenge League 2 0
1997/98 Neuchâtel Xamax Switzerland Swiss Challenge League 21 3
1998/99 Neuchâtel Xamax Switzerland Swiss Challenge League 23 2
1999/00 Neuchâtel Xamax Switzerland Swiss Challenge League 23 4
2000/01 Grasshoppers Switzerland Swiss Super League 38 5
2002/03 Lens France Ligue 1 35 2
2003/04 Lens France Ligue 1 36 4
2004/05 Fulham England Premier League 36 3
2005/06 Fulham England Premier League 32 5
2006/07 Fulham England Premier League 36 3
2007/08 Portsmouth England Premier League 31 3
2008/09 Portsmouth England Premier League 32 2
2009/10 Portsmouth England Premier League 32 0
2010/11 AEK Athens Greece Greek Super League 24 4
Total 408 40

International

National team Season Apps Goals
 Senegal 2001 5 1
2002 14 5
2003 7 1
2004 14 3
2005 5 0
2006 11 1
2007 2 0
2008 3 0
Total 63 11

Last updated: 2010-06-08
Source: Papa Bouba Diop at National-Football-Teams.com

No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
2 2002-02-07 Stade Modibo Kéïta, Bamako, Mali  Nigeria 0–1 1–2 2002 African Cup of Nations
3 2002-05-31 Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea  France 0–1 0–1 2002 FIFA World Cup
4 2002-06-11 Suwon World Cup Stadium, Suwon, South Korea  Uruguay 2–0 3–3 2002 FIFA World Cup
5 2002-06-11 Suwon World Cup Stadium, Suwon, South Korea  Uruguay 3–0 3–3 2002 FIFA World Cup
8 2004-01-30 Stade 15 Octobre, Bizerte, Tunisia  Kenya 2–0 3–0 2004 African Cup of Nations
9 2004-06-20 Stade de Kégué, Lomé, Togo  Togo 2–1 3–1 2006 WCQ
10 2004-10-10 National Complex (Liberia), Paynesville, Liberia  Liberia 0–1 0–3 2006 WCQ
11 2006-02-03 Harras El-Hedoud Stadium, Alexandria, Egypt  Guinea 1–1 2–3 2006 Africa Cup of Nations

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Honours

References

  1. ^ Lawrie Sanchez believes in Diop
  2. ^ Diop stays loyal at Fulham
  3. ^ Diop's statistics
  4. ^ Pompey warn AEK over Diop
  5. ^ Diop's contract
  6. ^ Diop chooses AEK
  7. ^ Diop's international statistics

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