Liverpool should keep an eye on new Napoli winger Khvica Kvaratskhelia who is suggested to be the next Mohamed Salah.
Making the lofty comparison was none other than legendary former AC Milan manager Fabio Capello. Speaking to Corriere dello Sport as transcribed by Football Italia, Capello said Kvaratskhelia reminded him of the Liverpool superstar.
“I am curious to see how Napoli do, especially Kvaratskhelia, who in his movements reminds me of an early Mohamed Salah,” said the 76-year-old.
The 21-year-old winger has only just joined the Italian club from Georgian side Dinamo Batumi.
Coming from a trusted source
Capello may have had a torrid time when managing the England national team, but his opinions should be treated with respect.
He hasn’t always been the most popular manager around. But he managed at the very highest level for nearly two decades.
So, when he says a player is worth watching, it’s a good idea to take a look at the player in question.
In this case, Georgian international Kvaratskhelia looks an intriguing prospect. You can certainly see where Capello has noted the likeness to Salah.
He’s a fast and skilful goalscoring winger who likes to cut inside onto his stronger foot. In the modern game, the Liverpool star is the absolute blueprint for that.
Still a long way to catch Mo
There are differences, though. Where Mo is notoriously left-footed, Kvaratskhelia is not, and he looks like he largely operates on the left-side of an attack. At 6 foot tall, the youngster is also much taller and more wiry than Salah.
The winger does look to have an eye for goal like Salah, though. Kvaratskhelia scored eight in 11 games for his previous side, and already has the same number in 17 caps for Georgia.
He also previously spent three years in the Russian Premier League with Rubin Kazan. There, his scoring record wasn’t quite so impressive though, with just nine goals in 73 appearances.
Now in Serie A with Napoli, he’ll be playing Champions League football next next season. That’s a big jump for a young man playing away from home.
If Kvaratskhelia can make the leap in quality look easy though, maybe he’ll be making an even bigger jump in the near future.
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