Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has similarities in his game to PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe.
Salah and Mbappe have been two of the best players on the planet over recent years, with both able to walk into any team in world football.
And according to Chelsea’s Noni Madueke, the two can be used as references for improving the games of those aspiring to reach their level. In quotes from GOAL, Madueke has suggested that Salah and Mbappe both do the same thing when he watches them.
“Our analyst has clipped up Mbappe and Salah, so I watch them a lot,” said the 21-year-old, after scoring twice for England U21s on Thursday.
“It’s the way they always follow their pass into the box, or when a team-mate is in the box, they’re always there to anticipate.
“I’ve got to add to my game the easier goals, the one-touch goals – that’s what I’m trying to improve. I work very hard on the last bit.
“I know I go at such pace, so sometimes I’ve got to calm down at the last moment, take a breath and then slot it away.”
It’s great to hear that Salah is being used as a benchmark for young attackers trying to get to his level.
The Egyptian is occasionally overlooked when discussions over the best players in the world come about. But there’s no doubt that he deserves to be in the conversation.
Salah may not have the trophy haul Mbappe has at just 24, but the Liverpool man is just as good.
With that in mind, the Frenchman has actually been mooted as someone the Reds may look to sign if Salah leaves for Saudi Arabia next summer.
Although on the face of it they do a play with a different style, Mbappe is one of the few who could perhaps step into the 31-year-old’s boots.
As £30m man Madueke alludes to, quality is quality. There are players who you can see fully understand what their teammates are doing and how this correlates to them at any given time. These are special players.
Given his assists numbers of late, Salah is arguably getting even better at this. Meanwhile, Mbappe has had the benefit of playing with wonderful technicians like Neymar and Lionel Messi. Madueke can try and get on their level, but it won’t be easy.
