Sekou Kone

Bwuk said:
I think it’s a great move for our coaches to learn different languages to support youth players.
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Totally agree, considering the french and african pools might become more of an option.

Seems insular to not see it as beneficial until only now.
 
Mingus said:
Interesting that the club are so invested in him that 3 U21 coaches are learning French so they can get their instructions across better.

He must be highly regarded.
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I think it's good that they're learning french, I think there's rumors of us picking up a french youth striker so I'm sure it'll only help us in recruiting around the world. Honestly it should almost be a requirement for the kind of players we're looking for. Spanish and Portuguese should be learned too, maybe not be fluent but at least enough to get ideas across
 
I have never used this line before on a forum but it would be good if he could bulk up.
 
sleepehead said:
I think it's good that they're learning french, I think there's rumors of us picking up a french youth striker so I'm sure it'll only help us in recruiting around the world. Honestly it should almost be a requirement for the kind of players we're looking for. Spanish and Portuguese should be learned too, maybe not be fluent but at least enough to get ideas across
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Perhaps we should just hire a translator!
 
Robbo* said:
Agree on your last point. There seems to be a number of strong young players that fit into the midfield square in Amorim’s system - Mainoo, Collyer, Kone, Thwaites, Moorhouse, Fletcher, Fletcher, Gore, Ibragimov, Lacey and others - and it will be interesting to see which get and then take their chance.
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Exactly the names that I was thinking about too that you’ve mentioned. What I like most about the list though is that there all different types of player who can then potentially play together. Hopefully they take any chances given. Who do you see maybe getting/earned a chance?
 
Robbo* said:
Agree on your last point. There seems to be a number of strong young players that fit into the midfield square in Amorim’s system - Mainoo, Collyer, Kone, Thwaites, Moorhouse, Fletcher, Fletcher, Gore, Ibragimov, Lacey and others - and it will be interesting to see which get and then take their chance.
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Sounds like Blackburn are moving for Gore.
 
As with all youngsters, it’s a game of patience to see how he will develop. Players at that age can come along enormously in 12 months and it will be interesting to see where he is in a year’s time. As it stands he’s miles away from being ready, but you see a lot of the raw talent that tells you he can eventually get there.

For perspective, James Garner looked significantly better and more advanced than anything I’ve seen from Kone, prior to making his first team debut. It’s just so hard to tell how any of these players will really kick on.
 
Borninthe80ts said:
Exactly the names that I was thinking about too that you’ve mentioned. What I like most about the list though is that there all different types of player who can then potentially play together. Hopefully they take any chances given. Who do you see maybe getting/earned a chance?
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As the subsequent post to mine says, it looks like Gore is leaving - largely down to injuries and lack of playing time that he hasn’t had more of a chance.

So hard to say with the rest as it’s often a question of whether someone is physically ready rather than technically capable or exciting, which is why Collyer jumped ahead of some of the others. Even Mainoo, who’s evidently capable of handling first team football - has found some of the physical demands difficult this season.

Would love to see Kone and Ibragimov given chances where possible next season and perhaps Thwaites and Lacey the season after. Fletcher brothers are harder to pin down and likely need another season in 21s and then a loan. What do you think?
 
Robbo* said:
Agree on your last point. There seems to be a number of strong young players that fit into the midfield square in Amorim’s system - Mainoo, Collyer, Kone, Thwaites, Moorhouse, Fletcher, Fletcher, Gore, Ibragimov, Lacey and others - and it will be interesting to see which get and then take their chance.
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Not sure how long you have been following United, but I will give you a bit of advice, bar Mainoo, who is already a first team player, I would be shocked if more than two of these guys are playing first team football at United in 5 years. Maybe this is something INEOS will change but since the class of 92 it's essentially a myth that our academy produces top talent. Most of our academy grads end up in the lower leagues or journeyman jumping from bottom club to bottom club.

I still fall for it, I have high hopes for Ibragimov, but reality tells me that it's unfounded, he reminds a little of Hanson Aaron, whom a couple years ago a lot of people thought would be the next breakout star from the academy and now he's about to get relegated from the Danish league with zero goal contributions.
 
Utterly De Ligt'd said:
Not sure how long you have been following United, but I will give you a bit of advice, bar Mainoo, who is already a first team player, I would be shocked if more than two of these guys are playing first team football at United in 5 years. Maybe this is something INEOS will change but since the class of 92 it's essentially a myth that our academy produces top talent. Most of our academy grads end up in the lower leagues or journeyman jumping from bottom club to bottom club.

I still fall for it, I have high hopes for Ibragimov, but reality tells me that it's unfounded, he reminds a little of Hanson Aaron, whom a couple years ago a lot of people thought would be the next breakout star from the academy and now he's about to get relegated from the Danish league with zero goal contributions.
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Rashford, Greenwood, Welbeck, Mainoo, Ravel Morrison are quality.

We probably produce one quality academy graduate every 3 or 4 years.
 
simonhch said:
As with all youngsters, it’s a game of patience to see how he will develop. Players at that age can come along enormously in 12 months and it will be interesting to see where he is in a year’s time. As it stands he’s miles away from being ready, but you see a lot of the raw talent that tells you he can eventually get there.

For perspective, James Garner looked significantly better and more advanced than anything I’ve seen from Kone, prior to making his first team debut. It’s just so hard to tell how any of these players will really kick on.
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It is really is. From Tunnicliffe to Petrucci to Ben Pearson to Garner there have been tons who have shown the promise in the youth teams but ultimately failed to make their mark in the senior football. Whereas unheralded Scotty McT made close to 200 appearances for us and has played a significant role in Napoli's impending Serie A win. (*Fingers crossed* really hope they win for Scotty's sake).

I really like the look of the kid but it takes a lot more to make the grade in senior football than just on the ball skills.
 
Robbo* said:
As the subsequent post to mine says, it looks like Gore is leaving - largely down to injuries and lack of playing time that he hasn’t had more of a chance.

So hard to say with the rest as it’s often a question of whether someone is physically ready rather than technically capable or exciting, which is why Collyer jumped ahead of some of the others. Even Mainoo, who’s evidently capable of handling first team football - has found some of the physical demands difficult this season.

Would love to see Kone and Ibragimov given chances where possible next season and perhaps Thwaites and Lacey the season after. Fletcher brothers are harder to pin down and likely need another season in 21s and then a loan. What do you think?
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It does seem like Gore is going and for me he would have been the one based on most variables. Hoping the clean break if it is one, will benefit him in the long term.

I actually rate Collyer and I think sometimes these attributes are highlighted over some of his more technical and tactical qualities which could benefit the team if developed. In relation to Mainoo I do think he has struggled but I’m not worried. Once the team settles I’m sure he will. Including his main position.

It’s always interesting to see other regular youth team viewers thoughts on who they rate. Most of the smaller prospects as you say aren’t necessarily physically ready but there technical ability is exciting. I would say Thwaites is the most efficient in the best possible way. Kamason has probably had the most consistent development over the last year. I’ll also throw in Devaney as I think his tactically astute.

As ever though it’s ultimately a guessing game as there’s so much that will change between now and July but still fun to hope/speculate.
 
Utterly De Ligt'd said:
Not sure how long you have been following United, but I will give you a bit of advice, bar Mainoo, who is already a first team player, I would be shocked if more than two of these guys are playing first team football at United in 5 years. Maybe this is something INEOS will change but since the class of 92 it's essentially a myth that our academy produces top talent. Most of our academy grads end up in the lower leagues or journeyman jumping from bottom club to bottom club.

I still fall for it, I have high hopes for Ibragimov, but reality tells me that it's unfounded, he reminds a little of Hanson Aaron, whom a couple years ago a lot of people thought would be the next breakout star from the academy and now he's about to get relegated from the Danish league with zero goal contributions.
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Yes the reality is always a bit different isn’t it, but I like to remain optimistic and it’s always enjoyable watching talented young players trying to find a way in..
 
I really want Moorhouse to make it. He could become our Morgan Rogers in a few years.
 
Hope we throw some league minutes at Kone, Moorhouse or the Fletchers in the last few league games to test their mettle. May as well use them for some good since the season has been such a bust. We really can't evaluate them until we see them against grown men.
 
Bojan Djordjic said:
Hope we throw some league minutes at Kone, Moorhouse or the Fletchers in the last few league games to test their mettle. May as well use them for some good since the season has been such a bust. We really can't evaluate them until we see them against grown men.
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Amorim sees them against grown men all the time, he'll know when they're ready to compete on this level.
 
Trex said:
Amorim sees them against grown men all the time, he'll know when they're ready to compete on this level.
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With respect, training is not the same as a real match. It brings something out in some players that training or underage games won't replicate.
 
Bojan Djordjic said:
With respect, training is not the same as a real match. It brings something out in some players that training or underage games won't replicate.
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I agree but there’s a whole team beyond Amorim that will know when they’re ready. We as fans always cry for young players to be played, but there are coaches, pastoral people etc that all understand who can make the jump or who can’t at what moment or not.
 
Bojan Djordjic said:
With respect, training is not the same as a real match. It brings something out in some players that training or underage games won't replicate.
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Training or not, it still gives the manager and coaches a really good indication if they’re ready to step up to competitive first team minutes or not. We’ve already seen him start Heaven, Amass, Fredrickson, Chido. Surely that tells us that when he thinks the others are ready, they’ll get opportunities.
 
macheda14 said:
I agree but there’s a whole team beyond Amorim that will know when they’re ready. We as fans always cry for young players to be played, but there are coaches, pastoral people etc that all understand who can make the jump or who can’t at what moment or not.
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Indeed like when ETH refused to play Amad so was not ready
 
pocco said:
Looked miles of it tonight. First time I’ve watched him properly and he didn’t look anywhere near ready.
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Agree - I've watched a few games and most highlights, and I've not been hugely impressed by him. He's got flashes of quality with the ball but I think he'll need another year or two of settling into England (with a good loan in the Championship) before he can be treated as a first team option.
 


Didn't watch the game, some interesting comments as the highlights look great to me. Especially considering he played more advanced than he normally does.
 
JezChan said:
Agree - I've watched a few games and most highlights, and I've not been hugely impressed by him. He's got flashes of quality with the ball but I think he'll need another year or two of settling into England (with a good loan in the Championship) before he can be treated as a first team option.
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I think you can tell that he has bundles of natural ability but who knows what his nutrition and fitness regimen have been like coming directly from Africa in comparison to the English boys that have been training in a world class environment all their lives.

I think his highlights are mixed with very exciting moments but also sloppy execution. I do think he his skill set gives him a very high ceiling if he can put the physical side together with the technical.
 
Bojan Djordjic said:
I think you can tell that he has bundles of natural ability but who knows what his nutrition and fitness regimen have been like coming directly from Africa in comparison to the English boys that have been training in a world class environment all their lives.

I think his highlights are mixed with very exciting moments but also sloppy execution. I do think he his skill set gives him a very high ceiling if he can put the physical side together with the technical.
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I think he shows intelligence which is more interesting than anything.
 
I think he's like Amad in that he won't be ready for first team for a couple of years.

A loan to the Championship would be perfect next year. Maybe take him on preseason first and play him in a few games.
 
next_number_seven said:
I think he's like Amad in that he won't be ready for first team for a couple of years.

A loan to the Championship would be perfect next year. Maybe take him on preseason first and play him in a few games.
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Agree with the first part. I don't think that he is ready for a loan next season. Maybe in the second half of the season.
 
AjaxCunian said:


Didn't watch the game, some interesting comments as the highlights look great to me. Especially considering he played more advanced than he normally does.
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Is this an all-touches vid? If so I really don’t get what people are on about either. He looks sharp, quick on the turn, very aware of what’s going on around him and trying to make things happen. He also had some surprisingly nice dribbling and ball-carrying. He seems to have a fairly translatable skill-set. This already looks loads better than what we saw the first couple of pages here, looks like he’s gotten used to the level.

Didn’t see much of his defensive contributions though, I thought he was more of a ballwinner DM? Based on the couple clips I’ve seen I think I might have to revise that view.

Also agree with what others are saying re: physique. He doesn’t look slight, but he lookalike he could become formidable with the right focus in training.
 
Rainy nights in Stoke said:
Why not?
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Two reasons I guess, he looks a bit uncomfortable and is trying to play it like it's a deeper role in terms of space and positioning.

His passing is great, accurate and well weighted but he is passing timing is off for this role sometimes, he's passing a little too late which suits a 6 more as they are usually passing into more space.
 
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