Scout Report: Randal Kolo Muani
Randal Kolo Muani
One of the biggest names thrown around at the beginning of this transfer window is French forward, Randal Kolo Muani.
After featuring in the 2022 World Cup Final, he was gifted with a £80 million move to the Parisian giants that are PSG. In the last two years, a lot has changed, from managerial switches to a cultural shift, as Kylian Mbappe finally took the flight to Madrid.
It is well noted that his relationship with manager, Luis Enrique has shifted, the player has not featured since December 10, and his stock is no longer what it once was.
The player that once shined for Eintracht Frankfurt is still believed to be there, PSG have made it very clear the forward is in the shop window, and it is up to another club to take a chance on the 26-year-old.
Career History
Born in Bondy, France, Muani played for several teams in the Parisian area. After spending some time training with Italian sides, it was Nantes who gave the youngster his first home.
The forward would sign his first professional contract in 2018, making his debut in the latter part of that year in a 3-0 league loss to Saint-Etiene.
After a COVID troubled loan spell at Boulogne, Muani would return to Nantes and finally make an impact on the first team. In 2020-21 he helped the team avoid relegation, netting in the relegation playoffs, before winning a trophy with the side in 2021-22.
It was time for a step up for Muani, as he signed a pre-contract agreement with German club, Eintracht Frankfurt.
It was in Germany where the French international truly began to shine. In one full season at the club, he made 37 goal contributions, including 23 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions.
This form came just in time for the 2022 World Cup, with Muani being a late addition to the squad, culminating in him missing a glorious chance to win it all in the final.
It wasn’t long before the vultures of the Champions League came, with the player stating his intent to return to his native France.
Unsurprisingly, Muani’s next destination was PSG, where he signed a 5-year deal.
The now 26-year-old had an underwhelming first year, and things are yet to improve, having only netted 12 goals in a season and a half in Paris.
Style Of Play
Across his career, Muani has been compared to many French strikers, including the legendary Thierry Henry.
Starting off as a wide player, the forwards career has been built off pace and trickery. His size (6’2) and range, led him to move centrally, with him not only having the ability to collect and run with the ball, but the size to beat defenders in the box.
Muani is an avid dribbler, enjoys taking players on from deep, but has also been noted for his ability to outrun defenders, yet still out-muscle them at set pieces. His range of output, makes him on paper, a modern forward with all the assets.
Where the player lacks is true composure in front of goal, alongside truly finding a system that suits his play. Whilst his tape displays a variety of play and goals, he has thrived in open play, yet has struggled in more intricate play.
Physically, Muani does not come with faults, but a lack of confidence, coinciding with finding the best style of play for the forward, mean there needs to be a plan in place before taking the player on.
At PSG, the style of play changed throughout his time, but his form left him out of the side, and with wide players performing, alongside him not suiting the ever-present ‘False Nine’ role, it left Muani out of the side.
The best way to describe the forward, would be as transitional forward. A player that can dribble and collect the ball, but has the assets to play the traditional forward role, rather than the more technical deep-forward.
PSG have opened the door for Muani’s exit, but with it being January and the length of his contract, it looks like an initial loan is the player’s best option.
Current links include Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, with the Premier League being the ideal league, due to the ever-more-present transitional style. It seems no matter where, Muani will be on the move this month.
