Arsenal legend and now Sky Sports football pundit Thierry Henry says that Sadio Mane has been the big signing of the season.
While other Sky pundits, the likes of Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, and Graeme Souness has picked Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the signing of the season, the Frenchman believes Mane edges the Swedish international star.
As quoted by Skysports.com, he said: “I have to give Ibrahimovic a lot of credit, but Sadio Mane has been the signing of the season.”
Ibrahimovic joined United on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, and has been a massive hit. He has scored 17 goals in the Premier League so far, and has single-handedly kept United alive in other competitions.
At 35, he still delivers when his team need him most, and has been a role model for the young players at the club. He has already won a trophy, and has kept United in contention for the top four.
At age 35, Zlatan still delivers hugely for his team when they in need of goal, and has been a massive hit at Old Trafford. He has seen the net 17 times in the Premier League so far this season, and has been the sole striker keeping the Red Devils alive in other competitions.
On the other hand, Liverpool paid £34m to sign Mane from Southampton, according to BBC, and that is a huge amount of money. However, Mane has not only scored goals and provided assists, but the impact he has left on the team has been tremendous.
For a side that has played attractive brand of football and scored goals for fun, Liverpool have struggled badly when Mane was not around. HIs absence has not only hurt Liverpool, but has crippled them at times.
Another potential candidate could be Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante who joined from Leicester City last summer. The French midfielder has been a PFA player of the year nominee, according to BBC, as well.