Mark Schwarzer has compared a young player he has seen at Manchester United to N’Golo Kante.
The Red Devils are having a difficult campaign. They finished fourth last season, but it looks very unlikely that they will be able to get there this time around.
Many people are pointing the finger at Erik ten Hag this season for some of his decisions at Manchester United, but the Dutchman deserves some praise too for the way he has given opportunities to young players at the club.
One such player has reminded Schwarzer of Chelsea legend Kante.
Mark Schwarzer compares Manchester United youngster to N’Golo Kante
Manchester United have a very good squad, and some of their senior members have achieved so much in football over the years.
The likes of Casemiro and Raphael Varane are elite footballers who have won numerous Champions League titles and have made their way into Real Madrid’s record books.
However, neither of them can really be viewed as big positives for Manchester United this season – especially when compared to Kobbie Mainoo.
The teenager has been one of the best players at Old Trafford this season. He has performed incredibly well and has even earned himself a senior call-up to the England squad.
Speaking on The Optus Sport Football podcast, French journalist Julian Laurens heaped praise on Mainoo and claimed that he’s not like other young players who need time before they get into the national squads. He’s ready to go right away.
Replying to that, Mark Schwarzer claimed that Mainoo’s rise has reminded him of another young midfielder he saw many years ago at Leicester City – N’Golo Kante!
He said: “When you said you know players you’ve played with and you know that they’re good enough, you know who’s the first player’s name that popped in my head – N’Golo Kante.
“Oh, what a player, like what a guy, but what a player and you knew…
“Firstly, I knew he’s got to be in this team at Leicester City, has to be in this team, and then after that from as the season went on it was like this guy is good enough to play for France…”
Kobbie Mainoo vs N’Golo Kante’s first seasons in the Premier League
Comparing a youngster like Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo to a Premier League legend like N’Golo Kante is not really fair, but it is definitely interesting.
In Kante’s first-ever season in the Premier League back in 2015/16, the Frenchman averaged 4.7 tackles and 4,2 interceptions per game, which is significantly better than what Mainoo has managed this season. The former Chelsea man averaged more passes per game too (WhoScored).
However, it is important to understand that Kante was 24 when he arrived at Leicester City, while Mainoo is still just 18 years old.
Yet, the Manchester United youngster scores better figures than Kante in successful aerial duels, passing accuracy, interceptions and blocks. Mainoo has been dribbled past fewer times per game compared to Kante as well, which is just extraordinary (WhoScored).
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