Former Arsenal and Genoa coach Patrick Vieira has asserted that Roma’s Manu Koné is, in his opinion, the preeminent midfielder currently playing in France.
Vieira, speaking in his capacity as a World Cup pundit for ITV Football, lauded Koné’s season with Roma, noting that the player arrived at the World Cup after dealing with a few injuries.
“For me today, he is the best midfielder in France,” Vieira stated. “I’d place him ahead of Tchaouameni and Rabiot due to his exceptional mobility, aggressive style, and proficiency as a ball-winner. Furthermore, he possesses the technical skill to be integral to build-up play, demonstrating the ability to break lines and advance forward with the ball.”
When presented with the suggestion that some might label Koné a mere ‘water carrier,’ the esteemed former Arsenal player vehemently disagreed. He emphasized that Koné’s game extends far beyond defensive duties.
“I don’t particularly care for that term, ‘water carrier,’” Vieira elaborated. “He certainly wins the ball, but he offers more than others because he can also play offensively. Sometimes Tchouameni can be frustrating, with too many sideways or backward passes, whereas Koné demonstrates a greater tendency for forward passes.”
Koné’s statistical contributions for Roma this season, with two goals and three assists in 29 Serie A appearances, helped secure third place for the club. His impressive performances for France on the global stage of the World Cup have significantly boosted his valuation, now comfortably exceeding €50 million.
While Inter Milan previously showed interest in signing Koné, they appear to have been priced out of the market, leaving Arsenal as the leading contenders for his signature. Roma faces the necessity of selling a player by June 30 to meet financial requirements, and Koné, acquired for €18 million from Borussia Mönchengladbach in the summer of 2024, represents a prime candidate for a profitable sale.
