With an excellent track record for Borussia Dortmund II in the 3. Liga (18 goals & 7 assists in 51 matches) & an impressive level of development in the first months of his Bundesliga career, Justin Njinmah looks to be one of the most eye-catching German talents to watch out for in 2024. 

Though Njinmah is inexperienced compared to many of his same-aged peers, the 23-year-old has excelled at Werder Bremen this season and is on course to become a starting figure for the remaining portion of the campaign. 

In today’s report, I analyzed the SV Werder Bremen forward, highlighting his strengths and weaknesses, and predicting his current ability and future potential.

Injury History

No notable injuries that should have an impact on his value or future potential.

Player Style

Justin Njinmah is an Explosive Winger. He is a winger with fantastic pace, acceleration, & verticality. He thrives at entering the penalty area at top speed, or providing a penetrative cross for a teammate. A true counter-attacking weapon!

Player Model: Mykhailo Mudryk

Strengths

Strong 1-touch Link-up Play

Justin Njinmah is very good at linking possession with 1-touch play. He excels when receiving to feet, often quickly finding a teammate who can immediately exploit vertical space. He is also decent when receiving in the air, utilizing his chest to cushion play into the path of an advancing teammate. 

Immediate Verticality following Link-up Play

Following a successful 1-2 or link-up action, Njinmah does not become a spectator. He immediately attacks the vertical space to remain in the attacking sequence. Njinmah is constantly probing and engaging an opposition backline with imaginative and incisive runs. 

Excellent Acceleration from Stand-Still Positions

Njinmah has an excellent ability to reach top speeds quickly from a low-intensity or stand-still position. The Bremen forward knows how to implement this trait for maximum effectiveness. He frequently locks an opponent into committing a challenge, before accelerating away with a sharp tempo change and/or fluid body shift. In this way, Njinmah is often able to draw advantageous fouls and set piece opportunities for his side. 

Aggressive & Persistent Presser

Njinmah does not personally win a lot of 1v1 duels, but through his aggressive & persistent pressing, he is often able to force turnovers or uncontrolled loose balls further up the pitch. He is particularly impressive at following through onto an opposition goalkeeper who is forced into a contested long-range pass. 

Powerful Two-footed Finisher

Njinmah has two-footed finishing qualities. He particularly catches the eye for his ability to generate exceptional power on either foot. This makes him a dangerous threat from range and does not allow an opponent to easily force him onto one side to reduce the chances of his direct goal threat. 

Implements Excellent Driven Crossing

Justin Njinmah can effectively implement driven ground crosses. He is often able to flash dangerous balls across the opposition penalty area or directly find the feet of a teammate with a smart cut-back. 

⭐General Off-ball Movement

Njinham’s general off-ball movement is excellent. He quickly recognizes moments to release in-behind and particularly threatens with goal-centric out-to-in runs. Coupled with his superb pace and competitive frame, Njinmah is a lethal weapon against an opposition operating with a high defensive line, or when playing for a club that seeks immediate verticality and prioritizes a counter-attacking system of play. 

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Weaknesses

Poor Aerial Presence

Perhaps the biggest factor restricting Njinmah from performing in the center-forward role in a 1-striker system is his lack of aerial presence. Njinmah has decent link-up play with his chest, but when receiving or competing for aerial balls with his head, he often comes out second best. Njinmah has poor judgment and timing for his vertical leap, and in goalscoring positions, he struggles to create the necessary pressure on a headed shot attempt to truly threaten the opposition goalkeeper. 

Tendency to Rush into Goalscoring Opportunities

Justin Njinmah has very powerful two-footed ball-striking ability, however, he is very dependent on this shot type in almost all scenarios. Even when the forward is in the opposition penalty area and a placed in-step finish would be suitable, he still relies on a less-controlled laced strike. 

Prone to Overhitting Aerial Crosses

Njinmah has excellent driven crossing from wide areas, however, he struggles to replicate this quality when providing aerial delivery. Often, his crosses hang in the air and lack the requisite pace for a teammate to easily divert the ball goalwards. 

Underwhelming in Isolated Attacking Duels

Njinmah is clearly at his best when dynamically carrying possession or using his off-ball movement to threaten in behind. Where he struggles more is in isolated attacking duels where the opponent can reduce the amount of space and pace with which Njinmah can work with. 

Njinmah has a level of creativity to master these scenarios, however, his touches are often too large, and he struggles to create the necessary level of separation to truly beat his opponent. 

⭐ Struggles to Time his Release Following an Extended Ball-Carrying Action

Njinmah’s pace and power make him an impressive ball carrier, however, he often struggles to fulfill these situations with a suitable follow-up action. Njinmah struggles to release possession (to a better-placed teammate or via a shot) at the right moment, often leading to a turnover in a direct offensive duel. 

GRADING

Current Ability: 

A club/level of club where the player has the qualities to play at least 70% of available minutes right now. 

6/10 - A Mid-table Outfit in the Bundesliga

• FC Augsburg

• Borussia Mönchengladbach

• Werder Bremen

Potential Ability:

A club/level of club where the player has the qualities to play at least 70% of available minutes at his career peak.

8/10 - A Club With a Competitive Track Record in Elite European Competition

• RB Leipzig

• AS Roma

• AS Monaco

OVERVIEW

Justin Njinmah is an exciting prospect who should grow into a prominent role at SV Werder Bremen in the remaining half of the 2023-24 campaign. The 23-year-old forward implements exceptional verticality and dynamism into his game. His off-ball movement in the final third is at an elite level, while he regularly showcases impressive qualities regarding his ball-carrying and link-up play.

If Njinmah develops his post-carrying decision-making, shot-type selection, and aerial presence, the Bremen forward has the peak potential to establish himself at a club with a competitive track record in elite European competition. For a club that prioritizes a 4-3-3 formation and operates with a very direct or counter-attacking system of play, Justin Njinmah is undoubtedly a profile who should be scouted further for the upcoming transfer window(s). 

If you are interested in sourcing my video-scouting expertise for your club, agency, or company, please reach me at business.adamkhan@gmail.com or on Twitter at @XxAdamKhanxX.