Cesc Fabregas believes Liverpool forward Sadio Mane is one of the top three players in the world right now.
Mane caught the eye yet again on Wednesday with a brilliant goal against RB Salzburg as Liverpool won 4-3.
Liverpool’s number 10 picked the ball up on the left and drove inside with a drop of the shoulder. Then came a pass into Roberto Firmino as the Senegalese darted on for the return.
Mane finished expertly to put the Reds in front – a wonderful goal that showcased him at his best. Mane was full of drive, pace and finishing and it inspired Fabregas to put his thoughts out there.
“Mané for me is top 3 players in the world and has been for a while,” Fabregas posted on Twitter. “Top top level.”
Now, naturally, fans of other clubs questioned the playmaker’s opinion. Fabregas doubled down, however: “Believe me he’s amazing. I’d love to play behind him.”
So just how good is Mane? Truthfully, he’s right up there with the best-of-the-rest. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo certainly hold the top two spots but Mane is in the argument that follows them.
He doesn’t generate the numbers of Mohamed Salah or someone like Robert Lewandowski but Mane might be even better. He’s not a poacher like the others, not a player who scores clinically or ruthlessly.
Instead, he produces repeated moments of magic and is truly unstoppable at his best. No full-back can stop him one-on-one and his pace and movement make it almost impossible to prevent him from doing what he wants.
He is perhaps more hit and miss than more consistent players but only in terms of stats. Judging him by what he’s capable of, Mane is up there with the very best.
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