AS Monaco's Russian wizard Aleksandr Golovin is hitting peak form under coach Philippe Clément, living up to his massive potential - and price tag - by creating and scoring the goals that could help the principality club return to Europe's top tier next season.
Not for the first time this season, Aleksandr Golovin was the difference maker for Monaco last time out, scoring a stunning winner in their 1-0 win against Brest.
The strike continued a hot streak of form for the 26-year-old, who has hit three goals and two assists in his last five Ligue 1 Uber Eats matches, inspiring Monaco’s fine run of nine wins in their last 12 matches.
On the up and up
The Russian playmaker moved to the principality for €30 million in 2018 after impressing for his country at their home World Cup that summer, but he struggled to find consistency in France, showing flashes of talent but not living up to his potential and sizeable price tag.
Now though, we are starting to see the very best of the dynamic dead-ball specialist. Golovin has scored four and created four in Ligue 1 Uber Eats this term, already contributing more goals and assists than he managed in the whole of last season.
Playing as a No.10, or out on the left, Golovin’s technique, first touch, and ability to pick out a pass make him capable of producing a piece of brilliance at any moment…
The Clément effect?
Under coach Phillip Clément, the Russian has started to shine in recent weeks, and the Belgian tactician has commented on the physical transformation which he feels has played a big part in Golovin's development on the park.
"At training I saw a player that was technically very gifted but not in good shape," Clément told the Ligue 1 Show on beIN SPORTS. "We knew we could help him become a top player and he worked hard. Now, he is fresher, stronger and more explosive. So now, he is realising his full potential. You can really see the difference now for sure."
Top-three finish?
Golovin has been involved in just shy of a quarter of Monaco’s 33 Ligue 1 Uber Eats goals so far this season, and he’ll be hoping to continue that trajectory and hit the heights of the 2020-21 campaign, which saw him contribute five goals and nine assists. With the Russian in this kind of form, Champions League qualification is a real possibility at the Stade Louis II this season.
