Who is Mohamadou Kante? Patrick Vieira comparison and Graham Potter approval
West Ham supporters have not had too much to get excited over this season.
West Ham sit in the relegation zone after a wretched start to the campaign, which has seen them win just one of their opening nine matches.
Graham Potter was sacked by West Ham in September, with Nuno Espirito Santo replacing him in the dugout.
However, the ex-Chelsea boss was aware of a high-potential player at the London Stadium before his departure.
West Ham make Mohamadou Kante announcement
West Ham have a number of promising players coming through at Rush Green and Mohamadou Kante may be the most exciting.
The Hammers took to X on 27 October to announce that the 20-year-old has signed a new deal with the club.
That contract will keep the Frenchman in East London until 2031.
Who is potential West Ham star Kante?
Kante is a young midfielder from France, with Malian descent, who signed for the Hammers in 2024 on a five-year contract.
He was loaned back to Paris FC, but only featured six times in Ligue 2 in a disappointing time away from the Irons.
His return to E20 has been brilliant, as he has notched two goals and one assist in seven Premier League 2 matches so far this season.
- Kante speaks basic English, but has figures at the club who speak French who have helped him to adapt
- He cites the likes of Jean-Clair Todibo, Max Cornet, Malick El-Hadji Diouf, Nayef Aguerd and Alphonse Areola amongst those who have helped him settle.
He was described as “Patrick Vieira-like” by Under-21s boss Mark Robson, but Potter did not necessarily subscribe to that view, although he approved of his talent.
Speaking before the win over Nottingham Forest, Potter said: “He’s had some pre-season time with us. He’s been doing quite well with the Under-21s.
“I think it’s a bit early to put him in the bracket of Patrick Vieira. He’s got a bit of work to do. He is a young player and there is potential.”
Kante described himself as a “physical player, someone who keeps running. I like to create chances, but I also enjoy the defensive side” in an interview with West Ham’s official website.
Nuno’s side are crying out for pace and physicality in the middle of the park, and it may only be a matter of time before we see Kante in and around the first-team squad.
The manager needs to do something drastic to save the season, and throwing the youngster into the side, may prove to be the solution.
Only time will tell, but supporters should be excited after he signed the new deal to remain with the Hammers.
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