Big Z gives his verdict. However you may feel about Zlatan, I think this is cool. He didn’t have to give our boy praise, but clearly felt he deserved it.
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Zlatan expressing his admiration in that pic.
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Think this guy has already proved he can mix with the best. I am just not sure he is better than VVD and Matip as of now. But he is not far away. Staying hungry, patient and learning under Klopp and 2 of the best CD in the world can only do good for him.
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He’s adjusting to the pace of the Premier League very well. His ball carrying and passing (particularly long balls) will both improve over time, and he has his best years to come. At the price paid, we will probably look back and see it as a steal.
We judge CBs against bog Virj, who happens to be the best in the world, so we have high standards - this lad is miles better than a good few CBs we’ve had over the years, which is very exciting.
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He still needs to learn discipline and to not get pulled out of position. There was a moment when Tottenham broke on us at 1-0, I think, and he got drawn to the ball high up, as it was played into Son. Son played the ball and spun away to make a run towards the box, where ultimately Kane played the ball across to him and Son shot just wide, from an unmarked position in the centre of the box. Konate was very slow to turn and try and recover…seemed to almost switch off by which time Son was well past him.
I see that Warnock has mentioned it here…
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You lost me at Warnock. Luckily you mentioned him last so all good.
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He had a good game on Sunday in difficult circumstances. He’s just 22 playing in an ultra high line behind a makeshift midfield against 2 of the best strikers in Europe. Tough gig. He’s still learning and we won’t see real consistency from him yet but what I’ve seen so far has really impressed me.
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Watching him actually reminds me how good we had it with Gomez. Barely 2 years older, but we’ve had him at a top level for a really long time. He was also much better disciplined than Konaté is now, but I’m sure Konaté will get there with time. I’m wondering if this means that we will eventually transition to a Gomez-Konaté partnership…
I am a big fan of Gomez and I hope that they can form one in future, but a lot of chatter right now that he wants more regular game time and may seek a move. As of right now, he’s not getting much of a look in, down in 4th choice, but I hope all the rumours are bullshit.
After last year, I want us to keep as many good CBs on the books as possible! Right now we have 5, but looks like Nat might be off in Jan.
Not hard to see where the chatter could come from isn’t it? Just look for player at top club who isn’t getting that much game time lately, and there you go, your transfer rumour writes itself.
I suspect those rumours are bullshit. Gomez is being managed following a very concerning injury. He will obviously be aware of that. We’re fortunate that we don’t need to rush him back, which is hopefully allowing him to make a better recovery. Long term that must be good because a fully fit Gomez next to Konate would be an excellent partnership beyond VvD.
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Gomez’s injury was worse than Virgil’s and has to be managed back to full fitness far more carefully
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And his third serious knee injury? My attitude to Gomez has always been if we get him back from this one, it’s a bonus. I feared he might be done at the highest level.
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Love Trent bigging him up here! Proper future captain material;
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Another stellar performance for young Konate on a big stage European Night against class opposition.
I have posted this next thought several times in the past…that there is no contest or race between he and Upamecano, as they are on very different career paths now. However, the media keeps them inextricably linked as a result of their partnership at Leipzig.
While our young Ibou shines in spot starts and careful handling by our coaching staff, Upamecano is presently not having much fun at Bayern.
It’s nice to see the media agreeing with our assessment of Ibou’s play last night, calling it ‘commanding’.
Konate put in a commanding performance alongside Virgil van Dijk in the heart of defence in Jurgen Klopp’s side – who kept a clean sheet and took a commanding lead in the tie against Inter in the Round of 16 of the Champions League.
On the same night, Upamecano was dropped from Bayern Munich’s side for their trip to Red Bull Salzburg at the same stage – a game which ended 1-1. The French defender has not started and completed a full 90 minutes for Bayern Munich since December 17 – a run which will now stretch over two months.
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We were linked with Upamecano before he moved to Bayern. I don’t remember any links to Konate before Upamecano’s move. Where we really in for him, or was he a smokescreen ?
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Yeah, was wondering when that would pop up, not unexpected. We’ll see if he accepts (now).
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Looked like he never played football when he took that pen.
Clumsy giant. 
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