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Samuel - January 13, 2025
Why Premier League Clubs Are Interested in Randal Kolo Muani
More than two years have passed since that pivotal moment in the World Cup final. With the score tied at 3-3 and just 20 seconds remaining, Kolo Muani had the chance to secure victory for France. However, his shot hit Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez’s leg, leaving him with a haunting memory. Since then, his career has faced challenges, including the significant €95 million (£78.8m, $98m) fee paid by Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for his services, which only added pressure.
Struggles at PSG
However, he has struggled in the PSG, only making two Ligue 1 starts this season. Nevertheless, it is still possible to speak about the potential of becoming a non-traditional forward that is inside him. This is perhaps why he has had very little game time for PSG not because he has not been good enough but due to the stiff competition that the team has in the French top flight leagues.
A Rising Star Despite Setbacks
I find its evolution quite interesting with regard to Kolo Muani. This followed a meteoric rise with Nantes, the club with which he grew from childhood. He cannot spend a lot of time at Boulogne due to the pandemic but, at least, it gave him motivation to go back to Nantes.
When Kolo Muani returned to Nantes to join up with the rest of the team after the pandemic, he was a different player. A journalist, Thibault Dumas observed that he demonstrated enhanced work rate and scaled up the pitch awareness factor. His first goal was a basic tap-in against Brest but as he gained in confidence so too did his goal ranking. He scored a stunning goal against PSG which ensured Nantes won their first match away win in Paris in more than twenty years.
His talent grabbed the attention of Eintracht Frankfurt and Kolo Muani joined the Bundesliga side on a free transfer in the summer of 2022. His time at Frankfurt proved to be transformative, as he thrived in the league’s high-paced, end-to-end games. Kolo Muani demonstrated great variety in his buildup, willing to push forward to get a ball and combine with teammates including Mario Gotzé and Daichi Kamada.
Kolo Muani was also very versatile in the attack for Frankfurt, as he likes to move from the center to fill their favored wide position to unlock spaces. Actually, his speed, decision-making and the fact that he was two-footed made him a constant menace. His goal tally of the season, one of them a gem against Bayern Munich, proved efficient on the break.
Varied Goal Scoring Abilities
Not only was Kolo Muani brilliant in counterattacks but his goals were different in terms of variety. He showed the entire repertoire of a striker, with a header against Freiburg or a step-over and a shot against Mainz. His goal-oriented ability appeared excellent under pressure, as his performance goals crucial following season to his description at Nantes and the first season at Frankfurt exceeded the estimated average (xG).
Limited Opportunities at PSG
However, his experience at PSG has not been so successful as the previous seasons. Kolo Muani has not been able to earn a starting role in the team’s attacking line, same situation with other players like Bradley Barcola and Marco Asensio. Kolo Muani’s two goals this season came in stoppage time, making only a brief impact in PSG’s victories.
A New Opportunity for Kolo Muani
While his confidence is understandably low, there remains significant potential for a club that can provide Kolo Muani with a fresh start. As the Premier League increasingly embraces a transitional style of play, the French forward could be the ideal fit for a team willing to take a chance on his talents. Despite the challenges he has faced, Kolo Muani is still a forward capable of making an impact in the right environment.
