In the coming days, Ghana manager Chris Hughton will announce his squad list for the African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, and one player who should absolutely have a seat on the plane is Michael Baidoo.
Named in Hughton’s provisional 55-man squad, the IF Elfsborg man has been on fire for Jimmy Thelin’s side since his arrival from Norwegian side Sandnes Ulf in January 2022. His arrival turned the then struggling IF Elfsborg into a new animal. With his confidence, desire and quality he possesses, it’s rubbed off like a static shock on the rest of the squad. He scored 8 goals and registered 2 assists in 21 appearances.
This term, the 24-year-old creative midfielder has scored 5 goals and provided 7 assists to his teammates, contributing to IF Elfsborg's current position as the second-placed team on the league table. They are tied on points with league leaders Malmo FF, but there is a two-goal difference separating them, which could determine the outcome of the race for the Allsvenskan title.
The former Vision FC player turned in some strong performances at the beginning of the season while his side were misfiring and has continued to be on song as his teammates have followed his lead to see an upturn in form. He is scoring and creating goals while also helping dictate play in matches, something which Ghana are crying out for.
With judgement day approaching for Hughton to select the players that will fly out for Ivory Coast, the 65-year-old needs to stray from his traditional criteria of picking stars for international duty. The Ghana boss loves to big-up the unity and harmony within the group of Black Stars players he has repeatedly called upon since he assumed office, but now is not the time for sentiments. It is the time for him to choose his greatest arsenals as he looks to restore Ghana to international glory.
Combining creative flair with the level of instinctive forward play of a striker, he's able to find space anywhere on the pitch. Dynamism and intelligent movement both on and off the ball make him impossible to read, but his influence in the final third stretches beyond setting up his teammates. Constantly craving possession, technically gifted with both feet and willing to shoot whenever the opportunity arises - he's been a revelation in Sweden. And he's only been there for over a year. Baidoo’s ingenuity with a ball at his feet is what should secure him a place at the AFCON without any doubt.
Hughton must select players who can conjure up moments of magic from nothing. Someone who can impose themselves on the opposition and not be afraid to take risks on the ball while oozing composure. Michael Baidoo is your man in that regard. Some will try to argue that he lacks experience on this stage as he has only represented Ghana at the juvenile level. But rest assured Baidoo is primed and ready to play a more glamorous role for his country on the biggest stage.
Although Andre Ayew has match fitness issues due to several months of inactivity, Hughton will still have faith in him as one of his most-trusted generals on the pitch. On current form that is a gamble but we know how reliable the Black Stars skipper is when he happens to be wearing a Black Stars shirt. Baidoo is also a gamble worth taking for Hughton. We know he usually doesn’t deploy a playmaker in the midfield, but a man of Baidoo’s quality could be a great asset from bench if a game, or system needs changing.
With the squad list being increased by CAF from 23 to 27, Hughton has no excuse to keep freezing the IF Elfsborg talisman out of the Ghana picture and should instead be warming him up for the biggest month of his career to date.
In tournament football, player profiles are important and there's a need to have different options at your disposal. Baidoo is the all-round midfielder capable of scoring goals, providing assists, dropping deep and running in behind.
Michael Baidoo has more than earned himself a Ghana call-up and the chance to showcase his talent on the international stage. Chris Hughton must reward him for his performances soon as he could be a very useful addition to the squad.
