Analysis: Why Dodi Lukebakio is One of the Few Bright Spots of Sevilla’s Season | OneFootball

Written by Zach Lowy

It has been a dismal run of form for Sevilla. The Andalusian side have taken just one point from their last six matches, whilst they have only won one of their last nine matches. With five matches remaining, Sevilla find themselves locked in a relegation battle, sitting two points above Girona, three above Alaves, and five above Las Palmas, who occupy the drop zone.

So far, the arrival of Joaquin Caparros for his fourth spell as Sevilla manager has failed to inject new energy in Sevilla’s team, with the Nervionenses drawing 1-1 to Alaves before losing 1-0 at Osasuna. To add insult to injury, after conceding the opener to Ruben Garcia, Sevilla lost Dodi Lukebakio to expulsion.

SEVILLA, 30/03/2025. Image via EFE/ Julio Muñoz

It means Lukebakio will be unavailable for their upcoming match vs. Leganes, who currently find themselves mired in the relegation zone. After facing off against the Pepineros, Sevilla will travel to Celta de Vigo and host Las Palmas and Real Madrid before closing out their season with a trip to Villarreal.

Whereas Sevilla’s 2024/25 season has been a series of storm clouds and rainstorms, Lukebakio has been a rare bright light for them. The Belgian winger leads their team for Expected Goals (8.54), Expected Assists (3.86), goal contributions (13) and scoring frequency (a goal every 249 minutes). He also leads their team with 2.4 shots per game in LaLiga, in addition to a team-high 1.1 shots on target per 90 and a team-high 9 big chances created.

Born in Asse, Belgium to Congolese parents, Lukebakio developed at Anderlecht’s academy before bouncing around on loan at Toulouse and Charleroi. He then enjoyed a brief spell at Watford before making the move to Germany, spending time at Fortuna Dusseldorf, Hertha Berlin and Wolfsburg, before joining Sevilla in 2023, where he has quickly emerged as one of their most vital performers.

Image via EFE / Jose Manuel Vidal

“For me, he has evidently been the Sevilla player with the most quality in the entire squad,” stated Cristobal Soria, who worked as Sevilla’s club delegate from 2000 to 2011. “He’s the player who’s enjoyed the most successful dribbles in 1v1 situations in Spain, more than the great Vinicius Junior. These numbers speak for themselves. Evidently, right now, Lukebakio is the star of this Sevilla team, he’s the most important player and the highest-quality player we have.”

Lukebakio has scored 11 goals this season in league play – no other player has scored more than four. But he isn’t just a brilliant shooter – he is also capable of running rampant against opposing defenses with his mazy dribbles and incisive passing. Lukebakio leads Sevilla with 2.5 successful dribbles per 90 and 1.5 key passes per 90, whilst he sits third in their squad for assists (2). Lukebakio’s blistering speed and change of pace makes him a cunning dribbler, but he also has the aggression and physicality to hold his own in ground duels. Not one to shirk his defensive responsibilities and is more than happy to track back and help his team hold their defensive shape.

Even in his brief cameo vs. Osasuna, Lukebakio was one of the few Sevilla players who redeemed himself with his performance, capable of wreaking havoc with his piercing off-the-ball movement and speedy dribbling. He has continuously showed up and delivered for a Sevilla team that has not quite been at the races this season, stepping up and tormenting fullbacks with his dynamic style of play.

With his contract set to expire in 2028, Sevilla may be forced to cash in on him this summer and reinvest into their squad. Sevilla have had no other choice but to sell their best players for top dollar such as Jules Kounde, Yassine Bounou, and Youssef En-Nesyri, and Lukebakio may be no different especially with the club missing out on Europe for another year. At nearly 28, he is reaching the peak of his powers, and it is evident that a player of his quality deserves to be playing Champions League football, not scrapping it out at the bottom of the barrel in a relegation fight.

But before he does leave Sevilla for greener pastures, he’ll be looking to lead the Andalusians to the finish line and avoid a costly relegation.