The rise of Stephy

For many English football fans Stephy Mavididi will not be a familiar name. Born in Derby in 1998 Mavididi’s footballing career in England was limited to the Southend and Arsenal youth teams and a smattering of first team loan appearances at Preston North End and Charlton Athletic. The latter clubs were at the time in the Championship and League one respectively. Primarily playing as a striker Mavididi was coached at Arsenal by his idol Thierry Henry and grew up with players like Emile Smith Rowe, Joe Willock and Eddie Nketiah.

As no call up to the Arsenal first team ever materialised, Mavididi took the brave decision to join Italian giants Juventus in 2018. Moving to a different Country to inject something in to his career at just 20 years old shows the youngsters determination to succeed. The interest in the striker came from Claudio Chiellini, head of Juve’s under 23 team and brother to legendary defender Giorgio. Despite only ever playing in one senior game for the Bianconeri, Mavididi enjoyed his time at the Italian Giants. He did play over 30 matches in Serie C and got to train with some top players like Cristiano Ronaldo. In an interview with the Guardian in December 2020 Mavididi said “It was a privilege to even train with him. It’s helped me so much. It’s not even about going up to him and asking questions. You just watch him and you learn.“

In August of 2019 Juventus decided to give their young Englishman a chance of first team football by loaning him out. Dijon, encouraged to take a chance on him by Thierry Henry, became Mavididi’s next stop and his introduction to Ligue 1 football. His full season in Burgundy brought eight goals and one assist in twenty eight appearances and plenty of experience. He became the first Englishman to score in Ligue 1 since Joe Cole at Lille in 2012. Previously used as a striker, Dijon also played the then 21 year old on the left and right of midfield. His pace, confidence on the ball and versatility drew admirers from other clubs. When the loan spell came to an end and with Dijon President Olivier Delcourt unwilling to active the 5 Million Euro release clause, Montpellier stepped in. The southern club paid Juventus £5.67M for the forwards services. Montpellier’s manager at the time, Michel Der Zakarian, again used Mavididi on the left and right side of a three or four man midfield as well as a striker. The Armenian coach utilised the Englishman’s pace to complement the formers counter attacking style of play. That first season in the Herault region saw Mavididi score nine goals in thirty five appearances often from the bench. This season the 23 year old is already on eight goals and three assists in twenty one games. There are several reasons for this uptake in form. A more attacking manager in Olivier Dall'Oglio and the selling of prolific strikers Andy Delort and Gaetan Laborde have given Mavididi a regular start in the first eleven. Now primarily used on the left of a 4-2-3-1 formation Mavididi has showcased his dribbling ability, often cutting in on his favoured right foot or using his pace to beat defenders on the outside. The regular starts in a more attacking formation have also led to a good understanding between Mavididi and fellow attacking midfielders Florent Mollet and Teji Savanier. The trio have become the creative force behind an attacking team pushing for a fiercely contested European place.

This form has prompted interest from other clubs in Ligue 1 and across Europe. Two weeks ago the Daily Mail reported that Newcastle were interested whilst the last few days have brought rumours of Aston Villa and West Ham preparing bids. The youngster has often cited his main goals are to play in the Premier League and for England. For the sake of the competitiveness of Ligue 1 and Mavididi’s development I hope he stays until at least the end of the season. If he continues to perform as he is a move wil come eventually. The forward, who is eligible to play for DR Congo, has represented England at under 17 to under 20 level so could a full International cap be a reality in the future? Watch this space. Stephy Mavididi has proved to other young English players that moving abroad can at the very least give you valuable playing time. Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham have done the same to great effect in the Bundesliga. Perhaps we’ll see more young Englishmen make their names in Ligue 1 in the future.