21 Under 21: Abu Kamara (Norwich)

Episode #13 | George Elek and Ali Maxwell list the most outstanding young players in the EFL.

21 Under 21 will be released every weekday at noon in June, with paid subscribers unlocking early access to all video content.

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“A triple threat: he scores goals, he sets up goals and he’s a ball-carrier” — Ali Maxwell

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Abu Kamara

Portsmouth on loan from Norwich — League One, 2023/24:

• Born: 21 July 2003

• Position: Winger / Wide forward

• League appearances: 46

• League starts: 37

🗓️ The age of progress

Nobody in this list typifies the upward curve of a talent well nurtured than Abu Kamara. Out on loan at a Portsmouth side fighting for and winning promotion, he started in fits and bursts, averaging just 53 minutes of game-time over his first 10 appearances. His campaign’s high-water mark was reached in ‘the business end’. 

In February, Kamara provided a hat-trick of assists in a 4-1 dismantling of Reading. He scored crucial goals in draws that helped to fend off title-chasing Derby and Bolton. He provided threat, creativity and flair, leading to 8 goals and 10 assists over the course of the season – 11 of those goal contributions coming after 1 February 2024.

To demonstrate such creativity is impressive, but when that is intertwined with availability – Kamara played a part in every one of Portsmouth’s league games – you can spot a promising pattern of talent and maturity. Give it a name: progress.

📈 At a glance

Pizza charts informed by match data. Each chart rates a chosen player from 0-99 across different metrics (e.g. Dribbles) according to their “percentile rank”. A 75 score shows a player outperforming 75% of other players in the dataset. Each dataset is position-specific. Negative metrics are reversed. [Credit: Riley Roberts.]

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▶️ Watch: Episode 13