There were things to like about Mohamadou Kante’s performance as West Ham United played out a 1-1 draw with Southend at Roots Hall.
But also some stuff which left you feeling a little, well, underwhelmed.
Such is the hype around the Frenchman – many West Ham fans have dubbed Kante 2026/27’s breakout star in-waiting – big things are expected whenever he takes to the field. Especially on occasions such as this; a trip to fifth-tier Southend, lower than the standard of opposition Mohamadou Kante tore through in the EFL Trophy last season.
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James Collins makes some good points…
Yet, as Keiber Lamadrid outshone his midfield partner at Roots Hall, former West Ham United defender James Collins neatly summed up what would prove to be a fairly uneventful 65 minutes for Kante.
Mohamadou Kante is capable of much more at West Ham United
“He looks like he could have it all,” Collins said on co-commentary duty for West Ham’s official in-house media channels.
“I’d just like to see him get on the ball more! But, physically, he has everything.”
That was the problem, really. While Kante did show flashes of serious quality, long spells passed by without the imposing Frenchman really stamping his authority onto proceedings.
While the aforementioned Lamadrid dropped deep to pick up possession, drifted between the lines, and even rattled the post with a thumping left-footed shot, Kante wandered through the opening half-hour without a memorable contribution.
Forget grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck, Kante didn’t even lay a glove on Southend.
His first real pass of the day was mishit and scuffed out of play. He kept the ball moving from then on, yes, but without the bombastic turn of pace or the forcefulness usually associated with the former Paris FC kid.
Lest we forget, Kante has been likened to one Patrick Vieira for a reason. Not only by West Ham’s U21 coach Mark Robson, but also by an opposition boss; Colchester’s Danny Cowley blown away after watching Kante up close in the EFL Trophy last year.
Kante needs to take more risks if he is to replace Mateus Fernandes
When Carlton Cole called Kante the ‘shining beacon’ of West Ham’s next generation, he was referring to a fearsome combination of technical quality and physical might. Kante showed the occasional hint of both at Southend – he grew into the game before Nuno changed the entire XI on the hour mark and did bully one opposition player while charging back to reclaim possession – but Collins’ point rang true.
If he is going to be a regular in the team next season – Kante will be eyeing up the Mateus Fernandes-shaped void extremely keenly – he needs to do a lot more than this.
Take more risks. Pass the ball forward, breaking the lines. And, considering that those Vieira comparisons emerged because of your ability to charge through the opposition like the proverbial vase-smashing bull in a hopefully well-insured china shop, don’t be afraid to take on the responsibility to actually make things happen.
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It was, of course, only the first game of pre-season. A match more about fitness than the result, even if that hasn’t stopped some doom-mongers predicting the end times.
“We played 45 minutes [for each player] behind closed doors on Tuesday against Colchester, then played today with a crowd, 10,000 I think there was [at Southend]. So, as I said, it was a really good workout,” first-team coach Gerard Prenderville said in Essex.
“It’s about getting through it with no injuries. The lads played 60 today and the other boys came on and played 30, so that’s exactly what it’s about.
“The boys have been good. They’ve attacked every session, worked really hard on and off the pitch, lots of gym work.
“So, it’s been a really, really good two weeks and then to go and get some of them to get over 100 minutes in their legs now has been really positive.”
Still, while fitness is the main focus at this stage of the summer, pre-season also offers the likes of Lamadrid and Kante the chance to prove they are ready to take on the responsibilities of a midfield role at senior level.
On Saturday, only one of Nuno’s midfielders produced a statement showing. And it wasn’t Kante.
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