Arsene Wenger has explained why he believes it is right to compare France striker Kylian Mbappe to Brazilian legend Pele.
The former Arsenal boss is a massive fan of Mbappe and revealed that he has “never” seen such a talented player come through at such a young age.
Mbappe has starred for France at the World Cup in Russia, becoming the youngest ever Frenchman to score at a major tournament, a record previously held by David Trezeguet.
Mbappe has now bagged three goals in Russia adding to his one in the group stage with a brace in the Round of 16 victory over Argentina.
Many have compared the youngster to Pele, who was just 17 years and 249 days old when he first made a World Cup appearance in 1958 – a record at the time later broken by Norman Whiteside of Northern Ireland.
Arsene Wenger is one of those voices to express the similarities between the Brazilian legend and Frances’ new wonderkid.
“I was one of the first to say that,” admitted the Frenchman talking to BeIN Sports.
“But I look not only at my impressions but also the numbers.”
“When he (Mbappe) started at Monaco you get to the end of the season and look at the numbers, this guy has contributed to 30 goals with assists and goals scored. He is in the first team at just 17-and-a-half-years of age – that’s pretty stuff yes?”
It is not just his play on the field that Wenger is impressed with. The former Arsenal manger went on to explain that the player has an intelligence off the pitch that belies his young age.
Wenger added: “You’re always scared you know because you don’t want the guy to become big headed and think ‘hell0 here I am’ but fortunately this boy has exceptional intelligence as well an exceptional way to deal with pressure.”
“It’s natural for him to play football and because it looks from the outside everything he does is right.”
“He has that talent, that gift,” Wenger added.
“When he talks on television you’re always surprised how well he talks, how relaxed he is, how well he analyses thing and I think if you were a teacher you’d give him ten-out-of-ten on the pitch and then again off the pitch.”
Kylian Mbappe completed five take-ons in the first half vs. #ARG.
As many as all of the other 21 players on the pitch combined.
pic.twitter.com/FSGIil2NmK
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 30, 2018
Wenger also admitted that he had never come across a player with the maturity of Mbappe at such a young age despite being in the game for nearly five decades: “I’m a long time in the game personally and it’s the first time I see that at that age – such maturity.”
When asked if he’d ever seen it during his long career Wenger responded emphatically.
“Never, never,” he replied.
France will be hoping Mbappe strikes again as they face Uruguay in their quarter-final match with the winner taking on either Brazil or Belgium in the semi-final.
The post I have “never, never” seen a player like Kylian Mbappe before – Arsene Wenger appeared first on Squawka News.
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