Liverpool star Sadio Mane continues to receive plaudits for his early season form, and according to Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier, the Senegalese attacker is the signing of the summer.
In recent weeks, Mane has been hailed as 'electric'; labelled a 'superstar'; described as 'wonderful', and been compared to Reds legend John Barnes (!)
Now, Le Tissier insists that Mane is the best signing of the transfer window. When asked this week to name the summer's top deal, he told Sky Sports:
"I'd have to go with Mane. He has been outstanding. He did have periods where he didn't look interested [at Southampton], but If he finds the consistency that was missing at times, he [will] give Liverpool a better chance of winning the league."
Mane is clearly a good signing, but I'm still not drinking the Kool Aid yet. As Le Tissier notes, Mane had major consistency issues at Southampton, and I personally won't be convinced until he proves he can contribute consistently over an entire season.
Fans may be surprised to learn that Mane isn't as influential as they think. Yes, he's got 6 goals/assists so far, but when it comes to general play, his chance creation is average. First 7 league games:
* Firmino: 20
* Coutinho: 16
* Clyne: 14
* Milner: 14
* Henderson: 10
* Lallana: 9
* Mane: 8
In my view, defenders should not be creating more chances than a £34m attacker, and if Mane is to hit the heights this season, he'll need to start creating more chances than this.
* €49m-rated (CIES Football Observatory)
In recent weeks, Mane has been hailed as 'electric'; labelled a 'superstar'; described as 'wonderful', and been compared to Reds legend John Barnes (!)
Now, Le Tissier insists that Mane is the best signing of the transfer window. When asked this week to name the summer's top deal, he told Sky Sports:
"I'd have to go with Mane. He has been outstanding. He did have periods where he didn't look interested [at Southampton], but If he finds the consistency that was missing at times, he [will] give Liverpool a better chance of winning the league."
Mane is clearly a good signing, but I'm still not drinking the Kool Aid yet. As Le Tissier notes, Mane had major consistency issues at Southampton, and I personally won't be convinced until he proves he can contribute consistently over an entire season.
Fans may be surprised to learn that Mane isn't as influential as they think. Yes, he's got 6 goals/assists so far, but when it comes to general play, his chance creation is average. First 7 league games:
* Firmino: 20
* Coutinho: 16
* Clyne: 14
* Milner: 14
* Henderson: 10
* Lallana: 9
* Mane: 8
In my view, defenders should not be creating more chances than a £34m attacker, and if Mane is to hit the heights this season, he'll need to start creating more chances than this.
* €49m-rated (CIES Football Observatory)
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