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Macoumba Kandji: EPL Bound? Huh?

Is Macoumba Kandji ready to join an English Premiere League team? Patrick Viera of Manchester City thinks so.

I like Mac Kandji.  I think he fits very nicely into the current Red Bulls system under coach Hans Backe.  He has developed nicely during his time with the team and prior to injury was showing signs of brilliance.  He has the potential to be something really special just based on his physical qualities.  It's not too easy defending against a 6'4" 215 lb center attacking midfielder and he'll develop while being mentored by Thierry Henry, who has taken the Senegalese footballer under his wing since arriving in New York.  

This past week, Red Bull Arena hosted Barclays New York Football Challenge and to say that Kandji was impressive would be understatement.  In the opening game against Tottenham, he played next to Thierry Henry as Juan Pablo Angel was nursing a sprained ankle.  While he didn't score any goals, he did have plenty of opportunities and was a constant threat to the Tottenham backline.  He impressed the Frenchman who had nothing but good things about his new teammate.  Brian Williams reports "Harry Redknapp said he liked him, the Spurs backroom staff spoke to him after the game and enquired what his situation was." He played the full 90 minutes which I'm sure also impressed these two clubs.

If the Hotspur game was Thierry Henry's coming out party, then the Manchester City game was Macoumba Kandji's.  He scored the team's first goal off a crossing pass from Dane Richards.  In the second half, he repaid Richards with a pass back that set up a 30 yard goal.  While the media is selling the ManCity game as Richard's best game, it was Kandji would came away impressing the billionaire club.  After the game, Emmanuel Adebayor and Patrick Viera sought him out to tell him he has the talent to play in the EPL.  

This begs the question, are there other players within the MLS that could also compete in the higher quality leagues? Macoumba Kandji isn't the top player in the league and there are other's who may be far more deserving.  A player like Steve Zakuani of the Seattle Sounders has put together a better resume.  So this begs the question, of the young players in the MLS, who would you say deserves to join an EPL team?

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Kandji's playing like it

This kinda of scares me to the degree that Kandji may want to pull an Altidore at the end of his contract and find a home overseas for good money. If he continues to play the way we’re accustomed to seeing, especially recently, it could turn out to be a distict possibility. His early chemistry with Henry distributing the ball and winning those 1v1 battles are good to see.

by Cmen on Jul 28, 2010 5:58 PM EDT reply actions  

What bothers me is that the team has spent quite a bit of time on him

And Backe and Henry will definitely help him out. People on metrofanatic are bringing up last year but we had a worthless coach and our talent wasn’t even close to the talent of this year’s team. No doubt in my mind that Backe/Henry/Lindpere/Marquez/Angel will turn him into a legitimate player. I just hope if he does go to the EPL he doesn’t have his development stunted like Jozy.

Kandji really wants to join the USMNT. What’s crazy though is that Tony Tchanni is by far our best future prospect at the moment.

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by Matthew Roth on Jul 28, 2010 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

Kandji should do what’s best for his career. He should go to a club that will develop him and give him plenty of PT.

It’s nice to hear that he wants to be a part of the USMNT set up.

by head_hunter on Jul 28, 2010 6:46 PM EDT reply actions  

Zakuani

From this Sounder fan’s perspective, Zakuani is not ready for the EPL.

He is a very nice player and may make it there, but he simply does not have the speed of play to compete. If you happened to have seen our game against San Jose, he had two great runs that did not turn into goals because instead of taking one touch and finding his cross, he took 2, 3 or 4 before deciding where to go with the ball and so the guys like Nkufo who were anticipating faster play could not be served and the play broke down.

Zakuani is great in space and with pace. But when he does not have the runs in behind he often will disappear.

by brokejumper on Aug 2, 2010 11:05 AM EDT reply actions  

Maybe not ready yet, he is still maturing in his game. He has great vision and determination though, I am a big fan of Zakuani.

In Hank we trust.

by Dig Deep on Aug 24, 2010 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions  

havent watched this redbulls that closely lately

but from what i saw last year..EPL?!?!..wow

dealing with Post-World Cup Depression

by DamnSevern on Aug 3, 2010 2:57 PM EDT reply actions  

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