After a masterclass featuring two goals and an MOTM performance against Italian champions Inter Milan, Manu Koné is becoming the midfield maestro we always knew he could be.
This is already Koné’s third season in Rome and his second under Gasperini, but after more than 80 appearances, Roma fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief: Koné is the real deal and ready to claim his place in the pantheon of great Roman midfielders like Pizarro, Nainggolan, and Faty Perrotta.
Currently one of Serie A’s best
central midfielders, Koné is the engine of Gasperini’s boat, the Big Mac in his McDonald’s bag, the Leonardo DiCaprio of his movie project, and the shot of adrenaline in his espresso martini. At €60 million, he’s also Roma’s most valuable asset, according to Transfermarkt, more than Donyell Malen, Rodrigo Mora, or Wesley. He’s also becoming an integral part of the French National Team.
Manu was already your ideal modern box-to-box player, blessed with strength, stamina, and positional awareness; a duel-winner capable of carrying the ball up the pitch. However, one traditional weakness was his lack of attacking productivity, particularly his poor scoring numbers. Now, though, it seems that Koné has improved in that area, scoring two goals vs. Inter after being in the right place at the right time.
Roma clearly lacks another dynamic midfielder like Koné. Niccolò Pisilli shows promise but is still young and sometimes a loose cannon. Marten De Roon, at 35, is in the autumn of his career and more defensively focused. Bryan Cristante is, well, Bryan Cristante. To illustrate, think of it as comparing a basic hotel room to a premium suite: Cristante is the simple interior, while Koné offers a superior upgrade with air conditioning, chocolates on the pillow, and more storage space.
For Roma and Gasperini, Koné staying healthy this season is vital, as he’s now the Giallorossi’s top midfield option. His presence is too important. It took Koné some time to get used to life in Rome, but he clearly worked hard on his weaknesses. When fit, he should be one of the first names on the sheet, next to Svilar and Malen.
We already knew Koné was good, and potentially great, but last weekend showed what Manu is capable of at his peak: a complete midfielder, one of Italy’s best. It makes it even sweeter that his first career brace happened against the team that desperately tried to lure him away from Rome last summer.
Back off Inter, Chelsea and Manchester, Koné is ours. And unfortunately for you, Gasperini will only make him better.
