Randal Kolo Muani: The steal of the summer
Randal Kolo Muani has appeared seemingly from nowhere to become a must-start for Eintracht Frankfurt, who are still dreaming of magical European nights. But, the "big clubs" should’ve had the 23-year-old on their radar for several years.
| Randal Kolo Muani. | Photo: Eintracht Frankfurt |
After Nantes tried to file legal action due to Frankfurt’s courtship of the striker, the German club eventually won and swooped in before anyone else to sign Kolo Muani on a free at a time when he was worth €20 million.
To begin the season in his new home, Kolo Muani already has six goals and nine assists in all competitions. He’s started nearly every game and has completely overtaken Rafael Borre, who’s now linked with a move out of the club to no fault of his own.
Coach Oliver Glasner has called Kolo Muani a “constant source of unrest,” while Nantes Director of Scouting Mathieu Bideau said, “Kolo does everything quickly and lightly, as if he were on a cloud.”
Kolo Muani is an underrated presser and defenders struggle against him in tight spaces. It’s so difficult to push the forward off the ball, as the Frenchman ranks as one of the top players in all of Europe when it comes to dribbles completed.
His goal against Werder Bremen on Matchday 4 stands out, where he single-handedly slipped past three opposing defenders to find the back of the net. And of course, Frankfurt supporters won’t forget Kolo Muani’s winner against Sporting that magically sent the club to the Champions League round of 16.
It speaks volumes to Frankfurt’s scouting department that they were able to find such a talent who was missed by all of the “big clubs.” Jesper Lindstrøm, Mario Götze and Daichi Kamada wouldn’t be in such fine form without the newly-minted French international up front.
The 50+1 club’s European dreams are alive and well with their star striker, who is giving Eintracht supporters more extraordinary Champions League nights than they could ever possibly dream of.
