Scout Report: Manu Kone
Liverpool are on a quest to find Arne Slots perfect No. 6, whilst Wataru Endo is more than capable in the position, the Reds are looking to make an upgrade. First target Martin Zubimendi has chosen to stay with boyhood club Real Sociedad, could Borussia Monchengladbach’s Manu Kone be the answer?
23-year-old Manu Kone is a young French midfielder who was born in the suburbs of Paris, beginning his football career in the youth system of Toulouse. After turning 18, Kone would become a regular in Toulouse’s B team, before making his professional debut in early 2019. After two strong seasons in first team set up, Kone was snapped up by Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach. In Germany, the midfielder would continue to develop playing at least 20 league games in each of his three Bundesliga campaigns.
Kone often plays as the deepest option of a midfield three, with his job being to take the ball from defenders and get to the forward players, be that via long and short passes, or traveling with the ball to create space and get the ball forward.
The 23-year-old loves to drive with the ball, completing the fifth most successful dribbles in the Bundesliga las season with 35, yet playing five plus, games less than others in the top five. Kone is a very good tackler, whilst his style of play means he often wins free kicks should he not get off one of his trademark passes. Where Kone struggles is with discipline, but at 23 he has more than enough time to develop into his true potential.
The midfielder is fresh off of the back of winning a silver medal as part of Thierry Henry’s team at the French Olympics, it is clear the player has serious ambitions, and move to the Premier League could match those ambitions.
Kone would be a more raw option for Liverpool, but as ball carrier, with a strong array of passing, alongside good defensive skill and awareness, the Frenchman could excel at Anfield. An outside rumour perhaps, but a strong young player, and one to watch.
