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Is Caen’s Yann Karamoh a good fit for Southampton?

By Nikos Lemanis

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 10: Fans gather outside the ground prior to the Premier League match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary's Stadium on May 10, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 10: Fans gather outside the ground prior to the Premier League match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary's Stadium on May 10, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) /
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The latest player to be linked with a move to Southampton is Caen’s young right winger Yann Karamoh.

Some sources are referring to Karamoh as ‘the new Kylian Mbappe’, although he’s actually five months older than the Monaco man.

Bearing in mind we have only seen one full season of the original Kylian Mbappe, the comparisons are most likely drawn from the fact that both players primarily play on the wing but can also be deployed up front. Both men have also played together for France at every international youth level, and know each other well.

Last season Karamoh made 35 appearances in the league for Caen, scoring five goals and making four assists. Mbappe is certainly more prolific in front of goal, notching up 15 goals in 29 league games last season.

However Caen finished 16 places below Monaco last season, so the quality difference between the teams should be taken into account before drawing too many individual comparisons.

PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 13: Kylian Mbappe of France warms up prior to the International Friendly match between France and England at Stade de France on June 13, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 13: Kylian Mbappe of France warms up prior to the International Friendly match between France and England at Stade de France on June 13, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

Suitability

Although only 18-years-old, Karamoh’s previous season at Caen has spurred him towards moving to a club where he’ll continue to play regularly. Having said that, he is also quoted as saying: “I want to go to a club where I could continue to evolve to mature in two or three years.”

Saints can certainly offer him development opportunities but whether they can offer him guaranteed first team football is less likely.

His position and style is somewhat similar to that of Nathan Redmond, who has now established his place in the first XI. Like the England under-21 international, Karamoh is known for his dribbling and for cutting inside from the wing.

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He has ample pace and the ability to use both feet, having occasionally been moved across to the left flank. His biggest weakness is his composure in front of goal, a failing that Redmond has also worked hard to shrug off.

Rather than an alternative to Redmond, it could be speculated that the club consider him more as a replacement for the recently departed Jay Rodriguez.

Although Sam Gallagher’s new contract suggests he is primed for that role, perhaps we will see further style and personnel changes in the front line that makes room for both.

The Côte d’Ivoire-born winger has a year left on his contract, but there is no shortage of clubs considering a move for him this summer.

With a reported transfer fee of £8.75m, at least 5 other Premier League teams have been linked, as have Red Bull Leipzig and Monaco.

Karamoh comes across as a young man who is hungry to improve and willing to work for opportunities. If he’s prepared to come to Southampton and develop, rather than drop straight into the first team, then a transfer fee of under £10 million could be a good investment.