Mohamadou Kante has been likened to Patrick Vieira a few times since arriving at West Ham United but, in that FA Cup triumph over Brentford, comparisons were drawn with another former Premier League midfielder.
On only his second start for the senior side, Kante endeared himself to the Hammers faithful with a standout performance of brawn and brains. Those comparisons to a certain Arsenal legend certainly felt apparent as the former Paris FC starlet stretched his legs and embarked on a few elegant yet purposeful drives from deep.
To quote Danny Cowley, the Colchester boss who came up against West Ham United in the EFL Trophy earlier this season, Kante’s ‘incredible athleticism’ is very Patrick Vieira-esque.
Kante has just given Nuno something to think about! 🇫🇷
What did you make of his performance?
But in the eyes of some of Hammers News’ TalkingPoint users, there were also shades of Cheikhou Kouyate on a night when Nuno Espirito Santo’s side ended their decade-long absence from the FA Cup last-eight.
Mohamadou Kante could be West Ham United’s new Cheikhou Kouyate
“[There was a] Kouyate look about his game last night,” one fan writes on our official Facebook page.
“He plays like Kouyate,” another agrees.
“So promising. Always thought when he’s played, he’s looked decent. Reminds of Kouyate and [Manchester City legend] Yaya Toure with his play style!”
A Senegalese enforcer who spent four years with the Hammers from 2014 to 2018, Kouyate is far from a Premier League icon, a la Vieira.
But, formerly of Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest, Kouyate’s versatility, physical power and box-to-box qualities made him a crucial part of a team which recorded their best-ever points tally under Slaven Bilic.
Playing the first 76 minutes on Monday night, Kante got the fans off their seats when forcing Brentford’s Kristoffer Ajer into giving away a corner mere moments after Jarrod Bowen converted a 35th minute penalty.
The 20-year-old occasionally left his marker for dead, too, with a clever shimmy or a burst of acceleration, while threading a few incisive passes through the lines.
In a midfield often accused of lacking real intensity and pace – with the obvious exception of Mateus Fernandes – Kante’s emergence feels particularly well-timed.
“I thought he needed a good game for us, and he delivered,” another TalkingPoint user says.
“Very good first half, tired noticeably in the second half. Very promising.”
“He is just what we need in the middle of the park.”
“Brilliant. He definitely needs more first-team chances to play.”
“Getting better every game. Just got to give him a chance.”
“He could be a starter next season.”
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“Great performance, thought he looked really comfortable and confident on the ball. Real box-to-box player.”
West Ham host title-challengers Manchester City on Saturday evening. While hardly short of threat, this is not a vintage City side, especially in the centre of the park. Kante’s youthful exuberance up against Rodri, Bernardo Silva or Nico Gonzalez – fine technicians but not the most athletic of footballers – would make for a very intriguing battle.
“He worked his socks off last night and, to be honest, I hope he starts Saturday! He deserves it for his performance last night; his aggression and his competitiveness!”
“He was a positive influence on the game and this will create more self-confidence in the games ahead.”
“I want to see more of him in the first-team.”
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