Manchester United’s new starlet Amad Diallo has been likened to Cameroon and Barcelona legend Samuel Eto’o by Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu reports the BBC.
Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu played for Ghana’s national team for almost a decade and left Italy in December 2020 after over a decade with Udinese and then Verona.
Speaking to BBC Sport Africa Agyemang-Badu said: “Diallo is a mix of some quality African players, he has this quality of Eto’o’s of being very strong on the ball, knows how to hold the ball and is a good passer. (He is like) Gervinho when it comes to pace.”
“He is only 18-years-old and we don’t need to put pressure on him, but just allow him to do what he likes best,” added Badu, who won the Under-20 World Cup with Ghana in 2009.
“Guide him on one or two things and he’ll improve and be one of the best players we’ve seen on the continent.”
Manchester United confirmed the signing of the 18-year-old Ivorian winger from Atalanta in January.
The exciting youngster signed a multi-year contract to the end of June 2025, with the option of an extra year.
Signed ✍️
Sealed 🤝
Delivered 👋We are 𝙙𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙚𝙙 to confirm @AmadDiallo79‘s transfer to United has been finalised!#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 7, 2021
An agreement between United and Atalanta was first announced on October 5th 2020 and the current deal is subject to a medical and work-permit being issued.
I can not wait to start🔴🔴 pic.twitter.com/n0gGrIQGgc
— Amad🇨🇮 (@Amaddiallo79) January 7, 2021
The 18-year-old played regularly for Atalanta’s youth teams and made a total of five senior appearances for the Italian side scoring one goal on his debut against Udinese in October 2019.
Diallo made the announcement himself on Twitter simply saying ‘I can not wait to start.’