For a long time, Kamaldeen Sulemana has been one of Ghana’s most tantalising enigmas.
Blessed with electric pace, dazzling dribbling and an explosive first step, he has often carried the “next big thing” tag.
But after an uneven spell in France with Rennes and a relegation battle at Southampton, many wondered if he would ever truly harness his raw gifts.
Now in Italy, Sulemana is starting to answer those questions. Under Ivan Juric at Atalanta, the 22-year-old winger looks like a player reborn - scoring back-to-back Serie A goals against Torino and Juventus and climbing into the league’s top scorer’s chart.
In fact, his three goal contributions so far rank sixth in Serie A, proof that he’s settling quickly into his new surroundings.
And these weren’t just scrappy tap-ins. Against Torino, his perfect positioning in the box gave him the platform to finish with composure.
Against Juventus, he found himself in the central pocket to punish one of Italy’s toughest defences.
Both goals came from inside the penalty area - a clear sign of evolution in his game.
Less dribbling, more damage
For years, Sulemana has been known primarily as a dribbler, someone who terrified full-backs but often lacked end product.
Last season, he averaged 6.5 dribbles per 90, but this year that number has dropped to 4.4. Rather than endlessly carrying the ball, he is focusing on hurting teams in more decisive areas.
The result? 1 chance created per 90 minutes, compared to 0.6 last season, plus a rise in penalty-box touches (4.4 per 90, up from 4.0).
It is no surprise then that his two goals so far have both come from inside the box. He is no longer a winger who simply beats his man; he is becoming one who finishes moves.
The Juric effect
Much of this improvement can be traced to Juric’s 3-4-3 system, which gives Sulemana freedom to drift centrally.
Against Juventus, he registered four touches in central attacking zones; against Torino, that number jumped to six in the same zones and 16 in the left half-space.
That positional shift explains why both goals came from dangerous inside positions rather than wide channels.
It is no coincidence either. Juric, who worked briefly with Sulemana at Southampton, made him his first signing at Atalanta, calling the winger a “personal project.” After the Juventus match, the coach praised his defensive work, saying:
“He has huge room for improvement; he can improve his finishing and certain decisions, but he can improve. He’s perfect defensively, you can trust him.”
That defensive trust is backed by data. While Sulemana’s defensive actions per 90 remain at 3.7, his possession won per 90 has risen from 4 to 5 since last season - evidence that he’s buying into the collective demands of Italian football.
By the numbers, quietly among Serie A’s best
Even beyond the goals, Sulemana’s output stands out. His two non-penalty goals rank him fourth in the league, while his 0.9 expected assists place him eighth.
He has also completed seven successful take-ons already, another top-10 mark, and his six carries into the penalty area are the tenth-highest in Serie A, which is clear proof that his blistering pace can be trusted in central areas, not just the touchline.
What it means for Ghana
For Otto Addo and the Black Stars, this resurgence is timely. In a World Cup year, Sulemana rediscovering his form is a major boost.
Addo has often used a back three in competitive games, a system that pushes wingers into more central, goal-facing positions, almost identical to what Juric is doing with Sulemana now.
If this version of the winger continues, he could be one of Ghana’s most dangerous attacking outlets heading into 2026.
For now, it is early days. Consistency has always been the question with Sulemana, and Atalanta is giving him the platform to answer it.
But with goals against Torino and Juventus already under his belt, a coach who believes in him, and numbers pointing to a sharper, more efficient player, Ghanaians have every reason to believe Kamaldeen Sulemana’s best days may finally be ahead of him.
The Black Star Watch is a compelling weekly column written by Owuraku Ampofo, a seasoned sports journalist with over five years of experience reporting on Ghanaian players. This column aims to uncover patterns, address pressing questions, and illuminate trending topics surrounding Ghanaian footballers.
