FC Metz’s current season has been marked by some fine performances from 19-year-old Lamine Camara. A promising talent, he is already attracting the attention of several English clubs, including Chelsea and Brighton.
Lamine Camara on his way to the Premier League
As the winter transfer window closes, rumours are starting to circulate. While the Georges Mikautadze dossier is likely to have been the talk of FC Metz fans over the festive period, it is Lamine Camara who is attracting interest across the Channel.
With the winter transfer window approaching, The Guardian has compiled a list of players likely to join the Premier League, including the young Senegalese nugget. The British newspaper goes so far as to reveal that the FC Metz midfielder is “on the radar” of several English clubs, including Chelsea and Brighton.
Having been used 17 times (1 goal, 2 assists) by Laszlo Bölöni in Ligue 1 this season, Camara was recently awarded the title of best young African player by his peers. It is highly likely that the Senegalese international will be called up by his coach, Aliou Cissé, to represent the Lions of Teranga at the next African Cup of Nations (13 January – 11 February).
Lamine Camara, the best young African player in 2023
Young but already a household name at home in Senegal, he has also conquered Africa this season. On Monday 11 December 2023 in Rabat, the CAF Awards 2023 ceremony recognised the Metz midfielder as the best young African player of the year. Aged just 19, he beat out compatriots Amara Diouf of Génération Foot (Senegal) and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli of Real Betis in Spain.
Lamine Camara’s rise to prominence was marked by outstanding performances at the 2022 African Nations Football Championship (CHAN), where he was voted man of the match on three occasions. He played a crucial role in Senegal’s victory, winning the title and being named the tournament’s best young player.
Originally from Diouloulou in Ziguinchor (south), the young midfielder was also a key member of the national Under-20 team at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, winning the continental title and confirming his status as the competition’s best player.
Camara’s success doesn’t stop there, however, as he also made his senior national team debut last September, scoring his first goal against South Sudan in November’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Lamine Camara and Gana Gueye as benchmarks
His Ligue 1 career with Metz has also been marked by moments of genius, notably his first goal against Monaco on Matchday 9, when he produced a spectacular lob from over 55 metres.
Renowned for his commitment on the pitch, his all-round play as a holding midfielder, and his ability to influence the game on both sides of the pitch, the young player embodies the new generation of promising talent in African football. The award of Best Young African Player of the Year crowns the exceptional debut of a player who already promises a brilliant career.
“I would say that I am a box-to-box midfielder, that I like to help my team-mates with their efforts… And if I can, why not go and score… I have three role models: Kevin De Bruyne, Toni Kroos but my biggest role model is Idrissa (Gana) Gueye,” shared the young talent. This statement highlights Gana Gueye’s significant influence on Camara’s playing style and development as a player. “Ever since I was little, I’ve drawn a lot of inspiration from him. And now that I’m with him in the national team, I watch what he does in training and outside it,” added Camara, underlining the privilege of playing alongside his idol in the national team.
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