# Junior Sambia > Defender · France · [Empoli](https://betsprinter.com/teams/67) · [Canonical HTML](https://betsprinter.com/players/20752) ## Quick facts | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Age | 29 | | Date of birth | 1996-09-07 | | Nationality | France | | Position | Defender | | Jersey | #7 | | Height | 185 cm | | Weight | 68 kg | | Current club | [Empoli](https://betsprinter.com/teams/67) | | Competition | [Serie A](https://betsprinter.com/leagues/13) | ## Season snapshot | Metric | Value | | --- | ---: | | Season | 2024/2025 | | Competition | Serie A | | Appearances | 17 | | Minutes | 384 | | Goals | 0 | | Assists | 0 | | Average rating | 6.74 | ## Last matches | Date | Competition | Opponent | Min | G | A | xG | xA | Rating | | --- | --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | | Sat 10 May | Serie A | Parma | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0.02 | — | 6.66 | | Sun 4 May | Serie A | Lazio | 44 | 0 | 0 | 0.04 | 0.08 | 7.79 | | Sun 27 Apr | Serie A | Fiorentina | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | | Thu 24 Apr | Coppa Italia | Bologna | 90 | 0 | 0 | 0.03 | — | 7.02 | | Mon 14 Apr | Serie A | Napoli | 8 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 7.16 | ## Profile ### High-usage defender with modest attacking returns ## Profile Junior Sambia, a 29-year-old French defender currently at Empoli[^fact-1], profiles as a high-usage defensive option who also carries some offensive responsibility from his role. The raw identity — age, nationality, position and club — is straightforward and anchored in the public record[^fact-1]. ## Season form Availability and minutes have been the main story: 36 appearances across the season (2020/2021) for a total of 2,444 minutes on the pitch[^fact-2]. That volume produced 1 goal and 6 assists recorded over the campaign[^fact-3], while provider rating averages settled at 6.93 across the season[^fact-4]. Over the last five matches the underlying numbers have dipped: combined expected output of 0.08 xG and 0.18 xA in that span[^fact-5], reflecting limited end-product despite continued minutes. ## Availability & momentum Fitness has not been a major limiter this season given the minutes logged[^fact-2], but momentum has cooled. In the last five appearances there are 0 goals and 0 assists across 156 minutes, a clear drop from the seasonal per-90 influence implied by the overall assist total[^fact-6][^fact-3]. The most recent outing was a 2–1 win at Parma with no direct goal involvements and a match rating of 6.66[^fact-7], indicating a competent but unspectacular contribution in the latest result. ## What to watch Attention should focus on two linked signals: role continuity and the baseline chance involvement. The season-long volume suggests Sambia will remain in the XI when fit[^fact-2], but the last-five xG/xA (0.08 and 0.18) points to limited imminent attacking returns unless his position higher up the pitch changes[^fact-5]. For short-term decision-making, the key metric to monitor is whether minutes per match climb back toward the earlier-season norm — that would revive the modest goal/assist tally (1 goal, 6 assists) achieved over the full season[^fact-3]. The latest match (Parma 2–1, W) does not yet show that resurgence[^fact-7], so expect steady minutes but temper expectations for immediate attacking production given the recent 156-minute, 0 goal/0 assist run[^fact-6]. ### Cited facts [^fact-1]: **Identity** — 29 years old · France · Defender · current club Empoli. [^fact-2]: **Season volume** — 36 appearances (2020/2021), 2444 minutes on the pitch. [^fact-3]: **Season output** — 1 goal and 6 assists recorded. [^fact-4]: **Average rating** — Provider rating averages 6.93 across the season. [^fact-5]: **Expected output (last 5)** — Last 5 matches: 0.08 xG and 0.18 xA. [^fact-6]: **Recent form (last 5)** — 0 goals, 0 assists, 156 minutes across the last 5 appearances. [^fact-7]: **Last match** — Parma 2–1 (W) — 0 goals, 0 assists, rating 6.66. --- Methodology: . Canonical HTML: .