Bahoya and the Bundesliga stage | OneFootball

Jean-Mattéo Bahoya has learned a lot over the past six months, as well as picking up plenty of game time and positive feedback. We take a closer look at this particular ‘investment in the future’.

Speed, sprints and one-on-ones are what set 19-year-old Jean-Mattéo Bahoya apart from the crowd, as well as his ambition. “I’m a very young player but I’ve set the bar high. I want to show everyone what I’m capable of,” said the teenager in early February, just after he had joined the club over the winter. Thus far, he is yet to register any goals or assists, but with a new season almost upon us, perhaps that is all about to change. After all, this was the first six months that the talented Frenchman had spent outside of his homeland.

“One of the greatest talents in France”

Bahoya moved to Eintracht on 25 January 2024 from French Ligue 2 side Angers, penning terms on a deal which runs through to 2029. Board member for sport Markus Krösche and head coach Dino Toppmöller were both convinced of his potential, with the former describing the 2005-born forward as “one of the greatest talents in France”.

Frankfurt’s new number 19 posted on Instagram about how excited he was to be moving abroad. “New chapter. So proud to be an Eagle. I can hardly wait to wear this jersey,” was what he posted on social media after his move to Frankfurt.

Bundesliga debut

On 3 February, Bahoya made his first Bundesliga appearance in the 2-0 defeat away to 1. FC Köln, coming on for Ansgar Knauff in the 77th minute.

Starting XI in Stuttgart

Bahoya made seven more appearances in Germany’s top flight across the remainder of the 2023/24 season, including his first in the starting line-up away to VfB Stuttgart on Matchday 29. He played for 65 minutes before giving way to Nnamdi Collins, and by the end of the campaign, he had racked up 171 minutes of game time.

Clocked at over 34 km/h

What was clear for all to see on his first day training with the team on 30 January also came up when he was officially unveiled to the public on 1 February, namely his impressive speed. “I link up with the defence, use my speed in the one-on-ones and get crosses over or have a go myself with my right foot,” is how he described his overall play. He was also clocked at 34.03 kilometres per hour in the Bundesliga, making him the seventh-fastest player in the team for the second half of the season.

U19 EURO in Belfast

From 21 June to 28 July, Bahoya will be away with the France U19 team, who will be taking part in the EURO in Belfast from the middle of July. Depending on how well the team fares, he may be arriving later for his first ever pre-season in Frankfurt. As we have seen, however, Jean-Mattéo Bahoya likes to take things quickly. Next stop: establishing himself in the Bundesliga.