Signing for West Ham back in 2014 from Anderlecht in Belgium, Cheikhou Kouyaté has become Slaven Bilic’s utility man, at least since the start of the season.
Evolving as a centre-back alongside Angelo Ogbonna and Winston Reid this season, the midfielder has gone along with it, but he’s hoping he gets to play a bit more up the pitch from January onwards.
With a centre-back needed at the London stadium if Slaven Bilic is to persist with three at the back, Cheikhou Kouyaté might have found just the man for his current club, one who currently plays for Anderlecht.
The Senegal international, who gave a lengthy interview to DH in Belgium, spoke about Kara, centre-back for the Belgian side, and had nothing but good things to say about his compatriot.
He said: “He’s made for the Premier League. Plus, it’s the league that makes him dream, like a lot of Senegalese players. I hope he can come here quickly. I’m certain he’ll do well too because he’s built like Vincent Kompany.”
While a defender might be needed, a new midfielder probably isn’t on Slaven Bilic’s Christmas list, yet Kouyaté is secretly wishing he does, mostly for selfish purposes, by signing 18-year-old prodigy Youri Tielemans
He explained: “He’s my boy. Youri, I loved him from the moment he started training with the first-team. I was very proud when I saw him with the Belgium shirt on his back. He’ll be in the Premier League soon, too.
“I just hope for one thing: that it’s in the same team as me because I don’t want to tackle him. On a serious note, he’s developed some more this season, and he’s really, really good.”
Who needs scouts when you have Cheikhou Kouyaté?
