Since signing for Cercle Brugge in January of 2021 from French Ligue 2 side Nîmes Olympique, Kévin Denkey has established himself as a key starter under both Dominik Thalhammer, and his successor Miron Muslic.
The Togo-born striker is having a breakout season as well for the Groen en Zwart, with 5 goals and 5 assists across 16 appearances so far in the Belgian Pro League.
These contributions have also rewarded the striker with an extended stay at the Jan Breydelstadion, with the 22-cap Togo international just recently signing a contract extension until 2026.
This Miron Muslic tactical analysis and Kévin Denkey scout report will take a look at some of the strengths in Denkey’s game, as well as analyse how the Lomé born forward fits into the tactics of Austrian boss Muslic.
Kévin Denkey Player Profile & Style Of Play
Since the sacking of Dominik Thalhammer earlier this season, his replacement Miron Muslic has opted for slightly different tactics, and it has benefitted the Togo international greatly.
Under the Austrian Muslic, Cercle have normally been set up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Denkey usually playing up top alongside Japanese international Ayase Ueda.
The heat map above shows the typical positions that Kévin Denkey has operated in so far this season for Cercle Brugge.
As is shown above, the Togo forward will operate anywhere in the attacking half of the pitch, with him having somewhat of a free-roaming forward role with Cercle Brugge.
This allows the striker to drop into deeper positions in midfield and link play together, with Denkey starting attacking phases in the opponent’s half more than finishing them at times, shown by his 5 assists so far this season.
The Togo international is also somewhat of a physical striker and is not afraid to attempt a challenge on a defender.
Under the high pressing system of Cercle Brugge as well, Denkey is also a striker that is not afraid to defend from the front, with his work rate being a huge bonus for Muslic.
As this scout report progresses, it will take a look at some of the key strengths that Denkey possesses, and show why he could start becoming a target for bigger clubs in the future.
Kévin Denkey Pass Map
As was just previously mentioned, Kévin Denky is more than just a prototypical fox-in-the-box striker who will just find space inside the penalty area and put all his chances away.
Looking at his statistics this season, the Togo international has just as many assists as he does goals, with 5.
However, when looking at his passing statistics so far this season, we can see that they are good for a striker, but they are not necessarily great.
So far this season, Denkey is averaging 19.83 passes per 90 minutes, with a success rate of only 66.9%.
While this success rate could be improved, he is involved in all areas of the attacking half of the pitch when it comes to passing.
The data viz above is able to illustrate this in more detail, showing the successful passes that Denkey has had so far this season and the areas in which they occurred.
When looking at the pass map above, we can see how, similar to the heat map, the Togo forward likes to operate anywhere in the attacking half, with him having more of a free-roaming role under Miron Muslic at Cercle Brugge.
Following are some examples of the passing quality that Kévin Denkey possesses.
The image above shows an example of the type of physicality that Denkey possesses, as well as his ability to create chances for teammates in advanced areas in the attacking third.
In Cercle Brugge’s match above against Gent, the Togo forward received possession with his back to goal and a defender on his back.
He does well to hold the ball up and keep the defender at bay, before turning towards goal, keeping the ball close to his feet and allowing an opportunity to open up for a pass.
As a result, Denkey spots the run of a teammate in behind the Gent defence, with the striker playing a perfectly weighted pass into his path.
Unfortunately, the goalkeeper also was aware of this danger and was able to get off his line quickly to block the ensuing shot.
The images above show another phase of play that is able to illustrate in more detail the physicality, as well as positional awareness that Denkey demonstrates when becoming a provider for his teammates.
Against Zulte Waregem above, the first image shows the ability of Denkey to recognise the space in midfield and drop off the shoulder of the defender and into that space to become a passing option for the outside back.
The second image shows what the Togolese forward has the capability of doing once he receives possession and is able to turn.
After gathering possession, Denkey is able to use his physicality to shrug off the challenge of the opposition midfielder looking to regain possession from behind him.
He then is able to spot the forward run of Ueda behind the Zulte defence.
He is then able to play a perfectly weighted pass for Ueda to run onto.
Unfortunately, the Japanese forward’s ensuing shot is saved by the goalkeeper, but once again, it illustrates Denkey’s ability to turn provider at times.
As this section has shown, while Kévin Denkey is a forward who wants to score goals, he also is able to use his physicality, as well as his positional awareness and range of passing, to try and turn provider at times as well.
Kévin Denkey Defending from the front and aggressiveness in the tackle
Another strength that Kévin Denkey possesses is his ability to defend from the front and press the opposition defenders when they are in possession.
Under Dominik Thalhammer previously, and now Miron Muslic, Cercle Brugge are a side known for their high octane, aggressive counter-pressing.
The image above shows the high regains, as well as counterpressing recoveries from Kévin Denkey over his last couple of seasons with Cercle Brugge.
As the data viz shows, the Togolese forward has been a very successful counterpresser for the Belgian Pro League side, with 52 recoveries showing his tremendous work rate and aggressiveness in these defending from the front situations.
The image above shows an example of Denkey’s work rate, as well as his counter-pressing ability to win the ball back in an advanced area.
Against Oostende above, this phase of play started with a long clearance by the Cercle Brugge defender to allow some of the pressure to be relieved and the defensive line to push up.
The ensuing clearance is sent all the way back to the Oostende half, with Denkey pushing forward to try and force the defender into a mistake.
He is able to succeed, with the defender taking a poor first touch, allowing the forward to win back possession and start driving towards goal.
An interesting thing to note here is that the Togolese international is the only Cercle Brugge player in the picture, showing his non-stop work rate and tenacity in defending from the front.
This never give up mentality from Denkey also led to a goal-scoring chance for the forward, but unfortunately, his ensuing shot after driving into the penalty box was just wide.
The image above shows another example of the counter-pressing ability that Kévin Denkey possesses.
After gathering possession in the defensive third, Eupen looked to build out from the back as opposed to just clearing it.
This allows the Togo international to close down and press the Eupen defender in possession, with Denkey being able to force the defender to the touchline.
Unfortunately, the defender is able to turn back centrally, and even with other Cercle Brugge players looking to counter press as well, he is able to switch the point of attack and escape the pressure.
However, this phase of play is still able to demonstrate the work rate and counter-pressing that Kévin Denkey is capable of, something that is very crucial to the style of play that Miron Muslic wants his side to play.
Kévin Denkey XG Map
The final strength that we will look at in this scout report is Denkey’s ability in front of goal, something that has improved this season compared to last.
Being a striker, the main job of Denkey is of course to put the ball in the back of the net.
Last season, the Togolese forward underperformed his xG, but so far this season, he has been more clinical and consistent in front of goal.
The data viz above shows the xG map as well as shots from Denkey this season, which is able to illustrate how he has become more consistent in front of goal.
The striker has 5 goals so far this season on an xG of 5.68, showing that he is pretty much converting the chances that he should be scoring.
The following are some examples of the chances and shots that the forward has had this season, which will be able to more fully demonstrate his consistency this season in front of goal.
The image above shows a goal that Kévin Denkey just scored recently, and even though it was from outside the penalty box, it shows the shot selection that he has possessed so far this season.
After receiving possession just outside the penalty box, the forward was allowed the time and space by the Eupen defender to take a shot on, which Denkey obliged.
The ensuing shot from the forward was able to find its way over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net, showing the type of precision that the Togo international is capable of from distance.
The image above again is able to show the shot selection that Kévin Denkey possesses, which again leads to a goal for Cercle Brugge and himself.
After receiving possession a bit deeper in midfield, the Togolese international forward was able to drive to the edge of the penalty box, beating a couple of opposition defenders in the process.
After making space for himself, Denkey was able to pick his spot, placing the ball perfectly into the bottom left corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance of saving it.
As this section has shown, Denkey has begun to establish himself as a consistent goalscorer for Cercle Brugge this season.
If Denkey can keep up this consistent goal-scoring form, then some bigger clubs could take notice of his talents.
Conclusion
As this Kévin Denkey scout report and tactical analysis piece has shown, Kévin Denkey is a possible star in the making for Cercle Brugge.
The Togo international forward has made a decent start to his career in Belgium, and while a club like AC Milan may be too much for Denkey to try and currently reach, a club that is possibly at the level of Celtic or Everton could be a potential next step for the young striker.
However, with the forward just recently signing an extension with Cercle Brugge until 2026, it would likely take a lot to convince the Belgian side to part with him, especially if he can continue to contribute to goals at a decent rate for the remainder of the season.
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