As soon as I heard that clubs were clamouring to sign Mohamadou Kante on loan, the idea appealed immediately.
Since joining from Paris, the French midfielder has been a revelation for West Ham’s U21s — but the truth is, he’s now too good for that level. There’s nothing more to be gained from underage football, particularly given his impressive physical attributes and all-round presence.
At 6ft 3in, Kante is a powerhouse. He doesn’t need to “bulk up” or “man up” — he’s already built for the professional game. The 20-year-old is a fully developed athlete and a handful for any midfield opponent.
Ready for the Next Step
This week, Nuno Espirito Santo drafted Kante into first-team training, where he reportedly impressed staff. Coaches Steve Potts and Mark Robson already know exactly what he offers, but what he needs now is senior experience.
A loan move to the Championship looks like the perfect next step — one that would benefit both player and club. The lucky team that lands him will be getting a dynamic, box-to-box midfielder who should thrive in the physical intensity of the division.
From West Ham’s perspective, it would give Kante the kind of real-world experience that Freddie Potts gained so effectively during his loan spell at Portsmouth last season.
It’s clear the Hammers have a serious talent on their hands — and you can imagine Tim Steidten, the man who brought him to East London, wearing a quiet, satisfied smile as Kante continues to prove he was an excellent find
same way Guilherme should go out on loan depending on January and whether NES will use him. Like all the others he needs to play. tough calls and a balancing act for NES.
off topic? you bet
As others say need a recall option. Just depends if NES thinks he has sufficient backup.
Would be great to see him in the 1st team but good loans have done wonders for Potts, Earthy and Marshall and on loan he’ll likely make an impact and get more playing time than as a backup and that is irreplaceable.
Pity Kevin Nolan’s Northampton are in League 1 and not in the championship.
I totally agree with Phil and Sue. if he’s got 3 couches praising how strong and good a midfielder he is give him a go in the first team. and if Nuno was 2 give him an outing in the first team, don’t just give him 1 try-out give him till Christmas or3or 4 games and then judge him on how he’s down. as someone said that i read if he doesn’t workout then sub him off. after all we’ve got nothing 2 lose and everything 2 gain if he’s as good as Potts has been in his 2 first outings. plus if he does good we can save all them millions for a midfielder and ad them to the money we’ve got for a number 9 and get an even better forward
”MAKES-SENCE-YES” ???……..C O Y I’s
Cheers Paul.
“if he’s got 3 couches” then he must be a lazy so and so. But I agree we’ve got nothing “2” lose and everything “2” gain by giving him a go in the first team now. And yes, it does make “SENCE” as you say.
Kante is the same age as Diouf. Look if he’s good enough stick him in the first team right now. Potts is injured so what better time to throw him in. If he plays a blinder there’s no need to send him on loan.
With Paqueta suspended , Kante needs to start and show us what he’s got , If it doesn’t work sub him for Mugassa
Why can’t we use Kante in the first team?
If we do loan him out, I hope if he will have a clause that we can recall him if needed
I think we need to get the dead wood and players we are not going to use and make room for more of the upper coming players to make the bench
Let’s move on Fulkrug, Ward Prowse, Irvin,Rodriquez,may be even Paqueta if his performances don’t improve, he does often tend to loose possession very easily and costs us goals.We need to try our utmost to keep Bowen, he is a real fighter and would give his all to the team
Fernandes,Gulhimere, Massaga,Kante,Potts,Marshall,Cummings,Scarles,Earthy and many more I could go on with all the young talent we have to look forward to
I know we need some mare mature players as well but must make sure we do not lose these players because the want to progress into the first team
It is nice to see that the youngsters are signing new contracts and we need to keep this going so we never lose uoung players for peanuts or even free
Get rid of Paqueta? Sacrilege!! 😮
LIke you though, the list of youngsters coming through really bodes well.
He’s 20, the same age as Diouf and a year younger than Fernandez. I think he should stay in the squad, teams in relegation fights are always unlucky with injuries. Kante and Earthy might be just what we need in darkest February
Definitely makes sense, get him half a season on loan to a Championship team that’s missing a central midfield presence which provided he can earn a place in the starting lineup will set him up for next season in the first team, in many ways he is more exciting than Magassa who is an out and out CDM because he also has eyes for a forward pass that plays the forwards. After complaining about not having legs in midfield, with Potts, Fernandes, Magassa, Kante we now have a whole lot of them. If Potts is injured and need s some time off get him on the bench for the next game. He is one of those players that can look lazy but he always seems to be in the right place to win the ball and he isn’t easily dispossessed.
nothing will make up for the wasting of the Rice and European football money.
put us back at least 5 years when we could have been competing at the top.
fundamentally it all points back to Sullivan though..
What a completely off topic and stuck in the dark ages comment! Rice has long since parted ffs
Agreed a loan move to a club in the championship would be good….Charlton would be perfect keeping him close to home but any loan has to have a gametime stipulation and a recall option if its needed.
Too much hype isn’t helpful. He looks really good, but has some obvious things to work on. The last thing we need at this stage is to have continual speculation about a ‘bigger’ club coming in for him. Feet on the ground, please.
He looks ready for the first team now. With Paqueta missing the next game it would make sense to start him alongside Potts and push Fernandes further forward to replace Paqueta.
First team training is the right move, give him a few minutes even see how he does. Loan him to a championship club from Christmas until the end of the season if that’s thought best. Some players do come through quickly they’re not all the same.
Agreed play him and Guilherme until summer and see where it leads.
Nobody is certain how Sullivan is going to react to bringing him n January signings.