Interview: Abimbola Obasoto
A short insight into the career of Macclesfield FC youngster, Abimbola Obasoto
One of the most exciting youngsters in the English non-league ranks over the past year has been 20-year-old Abimbola Obasoto. Contributing to 24 G/A in 29 starts for Bury AFC in his first professional season is extraordinary. In this article, Abs will be providing a bit more information around his career so far, his personal view on his play style and the motives around his move to Macclesfield FC.
Q&A
1) You were born in Ireland and moved to England in 2016 where you joined Morecambe on a scholarship contract, how did this move come around? Were you scouted from a club in Ireland?
I moved over to England in 2016 as my older brother got a tennis scholarship located in Bolton so we moved over there. I was then trialling with Bolton Wanderers and from there Morecambe seen me and decided to bring me in for a 6 week trial, but they already made their decision to offer me a scholarship after 2 weeks.
2) What position/s have you played throughout your career, have you solely been deployed as a winger — or have you experimented across the pitch also?
Throughout my career, I’ve solely played as a winger both left and right. Although I’d say my preferred wing is the left wing, I do like playing on the right as well. There have also been times where I have had to play wing back when my team has played a 3–5–2 formation.
3) What would you say are your main physical and technical attributes? What are the most important aspects you can bring/have bought to this Macclesfield side?
I would say I am a skilful winger. I like to get fans off their seats. I also like to chip in with goals and assists. I’m a very direct player that loves getting at the person that’s marking me. Right now, I’m currently on loan with Clitheroe FC in which I’ve played 5 games where I’ve scored 1 goal and provided 3 assists.
4) Which player/s would you compare yourself to in terms of playing style, current or past?
4. I would compare myself to a player like Allan Saint Maximin from Newcastle, or Jeremy Doku as they are both quick and direct and love to get past players. I have been watching both players very closely for the past few years to see things I can learn from them and add to my game.
5) Last season you contributed 24 G/A in 29 starts for Bury which is a very impressive feat, how proud of this were you? Did you feel this was a breakout season for you in your career?
I was very proud of it as it was my first season of men’s football. It was very challenging at times but I had to work extra hard in order to play well and get more goals and assists. I definitely think it was a breakout season in my career as I started to become more known, and I just knew I had to kick on from there.
6) After last season it was said that there was huge interest in your signature, which included the likes of Barrow in League 2, what made you choose Macclesfield?
6. I was training with Barrow for a few weeks and Macclesfield had called me saying they want to sign me, and I thought I would be a great opportunity so I went to Macclesfield — I had a few training sessions and then I signed. The way Macclesfield is a club that is well structured with an amazing fan base and they have many great players and a very good coaching staff and I have no doubt that the club is going in the right direction.
7) For yourself personally, are there are any aspects of your game you feel you want/need to work on to improve further?
7. I think I have quite a few things to work on. I still need to work on my decision making in games as in some situations I don’t know whether to pass or to shoot so I think that is something I can work on. I also think I could work on my physicality as sometimes I get disposed too easily and also I’m playing against a lot of stronger defenders.
8) What are your long-term goals for yourself at Macclesfield and for your career in general?
8. My long-term goals is definitely to play professional football as I am still very young. I still have lots to learn so I will take it step by step and game by game. My long term goal for Macclesfield is to become a regular starter and to score many goals and get many assists for them. Fans are really important in football and I’d love to make them happy after all they’ve been through in the past few years.
Finally, I would just like to say congratulations on the move and thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. Looking through the footage available I can see that you’re an extremely talented, natural player and I wish you the best at Macclesfield!
