One of the revelations this season in Ligue 1, Operi has shown significant progress this year with a quick adaptation to Ligue 1! With his splendid left foot dangerous on crosses, set-pieces, and long shots, he has become a crucial offensive asset for HAC this season. Solid defensively, he stands out as one of the key players for the club from Normandy.
General Information
| Christopher Operi
Age: 26 years old
Citizenship: 
Position: LB
Club: Havre AC
Foot: Left
Height: 183cm
Under contract till: 30.06.2026
Biography
Christopher was formed at SM Caen until 2017, progressing through the U19 and B teams. He didn’t get a chance to establish himself in the first team in Ligue 1 or Ligue 2. He only played 90 minutes in an official game in the “Coupe de la Ligue”. During the summer transfer window of 2017, he moved for free to Châteauroux where he spent three seasons, playing 79 games and scoring 3 goals. A convincing player in Ligue 2 at his position, he was once again transferred for free to La Gantoise where he played one season, featuring in 17 matches and scoring 1 goal. These experiences allowed him to gain valuable experience, especially in Belgium in a strong team. However, he was not retained by the Belgian club but was quickly identified by the scouts of HAC, who saw him as a solid player for Ligue 2 for the objective of promotion. Since then, he has played 60 games, scored 4 goals, provided 8 assists, and has shown significant progress, particularly in this season in Ligue 1.
Player Profile (General Analysis)
Operi is a versatile and complete left-back, excelling in attack and defense. With a strong tactical understanding, he thrives in both four and five-man defensive setups. His physical prowess, both in the air and on the ground, along with his cool-headedness, makes him a vital asset during possession phases & under pressure phases. His excellent left foot is a valuable asset for his team, whether it’s delivering crosses, taking set-pieces, or attempting long-range shots. In summary, Operi is a well-rounded player, capable of making a significant impact on the game in various aspects, and he’s great at handling tactical challenges on the field. Detailed analysis to read in the thread!
The stats which I used, are mainly Operi stats compared to players from the big 5 leagues
Position
Operi, a highly positioned left-back, aims to widen the game to its fullest extent. Important player for Elsner and HAC operating as a leader in opposition & in the building play. The goal of his team is to find him in the right tempo to give him the chance to cross or to shoot from range. Overall, Operi serves as a crucial link, balancing his team’s defense and attack with his wide-ranging role.
Physical Attributes
Operi stands at 183cm and weighs 73 kg, boasting an impressive physical stature for a full-back. He demonstrates excellent leaping ability and impeccable timing in aerial duels, coupled with adept body control, enabling him to avoid committing fouls effectively. His coordination is good, exhibiting great balance & strength in shoulder-to-shoulder duels, making it challenging for opponents to bypass him in one-on-one situations. This attribute allows him to neutralize the threat posed by explosive wingers effectively. Moreover, Operi showcases notable agility, displaying decent sprinting over longer distances and particularly decent acceleration, which enables him to create separation over short distances, notably during crossing opportunities.
Technical Attributes
Possesses a superb left foot, affording him a plethora of options as a full-back, with excellent crossing and long-range shooting technique. His set-piece proficiency, particularly in corners and free kicks, allows him to deliver quality balls into the box or unlock tight situations with his shooting ability. This aspect has proven highly beneficial for HAC this season, especially considering their struggles to score from open play. He demonstrates strong ball control under pressure, complementing his physical attributes, making him highly effective in counter-pressing situations and for team temporization. Additionally, his decent first touch enables him to transition quickly between plays. Overall, Operi’s diverse skill set makes him comfortable and valuable in ball retention situations and possession phases alike.
Defending skills
Operi, with an average of 1.86 tackles per 90 minutes, demonstrates his ability to execute timely challenges, reflecting his adeptness in regaining possession. Furthermore, his 1.30 interceptions per 90 minutes underscore his acute reading of the game and his skills in challenge on his flank. These statistics, positioning him in the 40th percentile for tackles and the 86th percentile for interceptions, respectively, highlight his consistency and effectiveness in defensive scenarios. He is clearly one of the cornerstone of HAC’s defensive solidity. Furthemore, registering 1.51 blocks per 90 minutes + 2.63 clearances per 90 minutes show his proficiency in nullifying aerial threats and swiftly removing the ball from perilous zones, placing him in the 67th percentile & 84th percentile.
In addition to his defensive duties, he demonstrates his authority in aerial duels, triumphing in an impressive 1.25 aerial duels per 90 minutes, positioning him in the 78th percentile. Globally, Operi’s defensive skills are solid & all rounded, characterized by a blend of tactical acumen, physicality, and unwavering commitment to the team’s cause.
Attacking/With the ball Potential
Operi is a great add to HAC’s offensive strategy, showcasing a diverse range of new possibilities for his team & influence the game positively. He’s a great for setting up scoring chances for his teammates. With 0.09 goals per game, he’s a reliable goal-scoring threat, ranking in the top 20% for this metric. His 0.73 shots per game show his willingness to shoot and test the opposing goalkeeper, placing him in the top 40% for shots taken. But the most important is not about shooting, Operi’s ability to create goals for others is equally impressive.
With 0.17 assists per game, he’s in the top 20% for assists, showing his knack for setting up scoring opportunities. His expected assists (xAG) of 0.15 per game further highlight his effectiveness in this area. Beyond these stats, Operi contributes to the team’s attacking play by initiating moves and advancing the ball into dangerous areas. His 2.63 shot-creating actions per game and 3.24 progressive passes per game demonstrate his impact in driving the team forward. Overall, Operi’s offensive prowess is evident in his ability to score goals, create chances, and drive the team’s attacking play, making him a valuable asset in the final third. His proficiency crosses, set-pieces or shooting, along with his involvement in initiating attacking moves, underscores his importance to the team’s attacking endeavors.
Important Statistic
Some of his stats may be challenging to interpret, which is why it’s important to consider the context of HAC’s season as a newly promoted team in Ligue 1, struggling significantly to score and build up play. Therefore, placed in this context, Operi’s performance is remarkable as he enables HAC to create dangerous situations. He has been involved in 8 of HAC’s goals as a left-back, out of the team’s total of 27 goals scored.
Compared to Ligue 1 Fullbacks
The statistics in this thread compare Operi to full-backs from the top 5 leagues, but I also wanted to touch on these stats compared to Ligue 1 full-backs. (thanks,@BeGriffis)
Why?
Because we can infer several interesting things: Operi is among the best in heading, one of the top performers in interceptions and defensive actions, and one of the best in delivering crosses. These stats are somewhat expected when we analyze the player and his qualities, but one statistic stands out when comparing the comparisons between the big 5 leagues and Ligue 1.
Progressive passes vs BIG 5: 32nd percentile; Progressive passes vs Ligue 1: 92nd percentile. I wanted to revisit this because I was surprised when compiling the thread as it provides an interesting insight into the difference in the use of full-backs in France and overall in Europe.
Tactical Knowledge
In possession (OFF the ball actions)
In HAC’s 5-defender formation, Operi’s objective is to stretch the opposing press and defensive block to create space in the midfield or exploit opportunities on his flank when the ball is on the opposite side of the field. He often pushes high up the pitch during possession phases, a role he fulfills adeptly due to his physical attributes and strong tactical understanding. He seldom loses his position, making him a reliable asset in this strategy.
Football IQ
He adapts seamlessly to his team’s style of play and remains consistently focused on his positioning. I find him exceptionally diligent in this regard, and it’s evident that he has a deep understanding of the tactical scheme his team aims to execute.
Out of possession
In this tactical setup, he frequently pushes forward to aid in ball recovery, aligning himself with HAC’s three midfielders when the ball is on his side of the field. This positioning allows him to initiate high-pressure ball recovery and potentially spark a quick transition. His role often leans towards his side of the field because Elsner recognizes his ability to make a difference in this aspect of the game.
Mental Attributes
Operi is a highly involved player throughout the 90 minutes of a game, consistently making effort on the field and readily supporting his teammates. Additionally, he possesses a remarkable calmness and concentration throughout the entirety of a game, even in challenging situations. Confident in his abilities, he displays intelligence in both his playing style and behavior.
Areas of development
If we look solely at the numbers, one might tend to conclude that Operi has shortcomings in possession phases, with his pass completion percentage falling within the 21st percentile, suggesting he could improve his passing accuracy to better contribute to his team’s build-up play, along with a ranking of 14th percentile in progressive carries.
However, it’s essential to contextualize the statistics, where Elsner seeks his full-backs to be present in defensive phases with minimal risk-taking. Operi’s role isn’t primarily about making forward runs or showcasing technical flair but rather making direct decisions when the ball comes to him in dangerous areas. This often translates into crosses or through balls. This brings us to the discussion of progressive passes, where his ranking in the 32nd percentile suggests he could seek to be more incisive and precise in his forward passing to help his team progress play. Working on his vision and ability to spot openings for more creative passes could increase his contribution to his team’s attack and help him become a significant transition builder as a full-back. Lastly, focusing on defensive stats, we observe that despite his ultra-solid defensive statistics for his position, while he makes a decent number of tackles per 90 minutes, placing in the 40th percentile, he could aim to be more aggressive and effective in his defensive interventions to regain possession more quickly and halt opposing attacks more efficiently.
Christopher Operi is an interesting player capable of making a positive impact for many teams, possessing a rare profile with the ability to influence various phases of a game and unlock challenging situations. If HAC were to face relegation (which I hope doesn’t happen), Operi would undoubtedly be a player worth pursuing. I have no hesitation in stating that he would be more than capable of strengthening teams at the top of the table.