#19
Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla
AGE: 18
COUNTRY: Canada
POSITION: Midfielder
CLUB: Montreal Impact
YEARS PRO: 2
Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla is still very much in the "exciting prospect" category, still learning the game at the club and international level -- but there's no doubt that the young Montreal Impact attacker and Canadian youth international has the potential to spark an offense. Signed last October as a Homegrown player, after just one in USL, Tabla -- despite playing much of the season behind veteran playmaker Ignacio Piatti has impressed with his pitch vision and instincts on both sides of the ball.
He also knows when to wind up and shoot instead of looking to distribute, as he showed with a stunning goal in the finals of the Canadian Championship against Toronto FC. Born in Ivory Coast but raised in Canada, Tabla has represented his adopted country up to the U-20 level and looks to follow in the footsteps of Vancouver's Alphonso Davies by moving up to the senior side at a young age as well.
What the technical staffers say:
“He reminds of Davies in Vancouver. It just seems like he’s crazy athletic, lots of potential, always changes the game. Sometimes he’s not under control, but I think for a young player he’s a dynamic exciting kid who’s not afraid. And that’s huge when you’re young, to be able to come in and play and kind of not worry about it and kind of figure things out as you go.”
“That athleticism just really sticks out to me. That ability, just the burst that he has, the ability to just move right past people is really impressive.”
