Few would doubt the value of Divine Mukasa to West Ham’s promotion push this season.
The former academy graduate, back in east London on loan from Manchester City, has scored three times and looks completely at home in the heart of the Hammers midfield. For one who is just 19, his maturity is exceptional and he’s ranked twelfth today in a new listing of the top young performers in the Championship.
“Only twelfth“? I hear you ask..
There are some pretty decent names ahead of him in the list, complied by footballleagueworld.co.uk who would know thing or two about life in the second division. Mukasa’s contribution is recognised thus:
“Mukasa’s versatility has been a key asset to Nuno Espírito Santo in the season’s early weeks as he hasn’t been afraid to chip in with defensive contributions, whilst demonstrating his eye for a goal, including a stunner in the 4-2 win over Wolves in September.”
Indeed.
Topping the list is Fer Lopez, Wolves’ £19 million Spanish playmaker but there is one glaring omission from their ‘top thirteen’ which includes Sydie Peck, Will Lankshear and even WBA’s Jimmy Jay Morgan: West Ham’s own Mohamadou Kanté, who has arguably been the youngster who has had the most impact on West Ham’s season to date, doesn’t even get a look in.
Missing from the ‘top thirteen’ you players in the Championship, Kanye will likely top a ‘sold price’ listing within a couple of years time
To leave the 21 year old out of the ‘top thirteen’ youngsters in this Championship season seems peculiar.
3 goals and 2 assists already for the monster of an attacking midfielder – now that Nuno seems to have worked out he’s not a holding midfielder – bodes well for his ‘breakthrough’ season in claret and blue.
I’d wager that Kanté, within a couple of years – will find himself the target of some of the top six sides in Europe with a value well north of £50 million – which is more than can be said for many on ‘footballleagueworld’s ranking.
West Ham fans had better enjoy him whilst they can. There’s every possibility that the Irons’ll be banking a whopping profit -hopefully a year or so after he’s helped propel them back into the Premier League.