Newly-appointed Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri has lauded marksman Aleksandar Mitrovic as “one of the best strikers” in the world following his brace against Southampton.
Mitrovic, 24, extended his tally to seven Premier League goals for the season after netting twice in the Cottager’s 3-2 win over Southampton on Saturday, clinching Ranieri a debut win in charge of the club as a result.
Mitrovic one of the world’s best? Five key things to know…
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- Mitrovic has made an emphatic start to the season since signing on a permanent basis from Newcastle over the summer.
- The Serbian striker is currently the joint-second highest scorer in the Premier League with seven goals.
- Only Sergio Aguero (eight) has scored more in the league.
- Such has been Mitrovic’s form that Liverpool have been linked with a move for the striker.
- The Smederevo-born striker is imperative to Fulham’s system, scoring 50% of the club’s league goals this season.
During the crunch clash on Saturday, Fulham had gone a goal down to the Saints courtesy of a Stuart Armstrong finish, but Mitrovic pegged the Premier League strugglers back before going on to score the game’s decisive goal in the 63rd minute.
Ranieri took the reigns at Craven Cottage after Slavisa Jokanovic was shown the door following a poor start to the season, and his first win took the west London club off the foot of the table, elevating them momentarily above Huddersfield Town before the Terriers beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 this afternoon.
The Italian tactician has worked for some of the biggest clubs in world football including the likes of Chelsea and Juventus but he insists there are few better than his current No 9.
“For me Mitrovic is one of the best strikers in Europe,” Ranieri told Standard Sport. “When I say Europe, let’s say the world.
“He’s only 24 years old, he’s a fantastic player. It’s important to give the ball to him because he can play as a platform but also as a goalscorer.
“When the ball arrives in the box he’s very, very close to the goal. It’s important to give him a lot of chances to score.”
When quizzed on Mitrovic’s change in goalscoring form following a six-match barren run, Ranieri refused to take credit for the change in fortunes.
He added: “That’s the life of strikers, no? Maybe they score a lot of goals in a row and then maybe for one or two months don’t score.
“All the strikers are the same. It’s not possible [to score] every time. But at the end of the season you see how many goals he has scored.”
READ MORE: How Claudio Ranieri can save Fulham
Fulham will survive because of Diego Costa-like Mitrovic
Former England international Martin Keown believes Fulham’s hopes of retaining Premier League status hinge on the form of Mitrovic.
The Serbian striker has been prolific in front of goal, but his overall gameplay has been hailed by Keown and Phil Neville, who both likened him to former Chelsea forward Diego Costa.
At present Mitrovic has taken the second-most shots of any striker in the Premier League (47), won the third-most aerial duels (63), made the most passes (343) and also drawn the fourth-most fouls (21).
“He will, if they stay up, will be the reason they do,” Keown said of Mitrovic.
While Neville further dissected Mitrovic’s key characteristics as a striker, explaining why it is so difficult to contain the physically imposing forward.
“He’s not Diego Costa but he’s got Diego Costa type qualities, in terms of he’s nasty, he’s horrible to play against, he bullies defenders.
“His leap, there was one in the second half where he lept above [Christian] Kabasele just at a corner and he hit the bar, it was fantastic.
“He is someone who can give them the other option.”
The post Ranieri hails Fulham’s Mitrovic as one of the world’s best strikers appeared first on Squawka News.
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