Winger | Steaua Bucharest | Romania

Skinny

Quick, strong, technically gifted, unpredictable and skilful, Steaua have a player in Florinel Coman who they believe is at the same level as Kylian Mbappe. That may be a premature assessment of a winger who is yet to achieve anything close to his French counterpart’s young career but he’s certainly doing all the right things to get there.

Coman is versatile, mostly a left winger who tends to cut inside but also quite capable of playing as a striker or on the right.

The 20-year-old is equipped with flair and intense attacking intent, which has led to him being linked with some big European clubs in the past. Towards the end of 2017 Chelsea were linked with a move, while Benfica and Palermo have also been touted as potential suitors.

Steaua’s faith in Coman is real, too. Some reports claim they insisted on putting an £88million release clause in his contract when they signed him from Vitorul Constanta in August 2017. He won’t go for that fee but it just goes to show how much he is rated right now.

2018 has been…

…a year of solid progression. Coman’s best football has been showcased in Romania’s top-flight, where he has consistently put his flair and potential on display.

In his debut season at FCSB, Coman played in a key role in the Romanian giants finishing second in Liga 1, but we’re seeing even more of what the winger is about in 2018/19.

A brace during a 3-3 draw with city rivals Dinamo essentially announced him as a big game player and he then followed that up with seven goal involvements in his next six league appearances. His 2018 total of seven goals and six assists is a modest return for a winger but certainly impressive when you consider his age.

The only downside for Coman will be a lack of European football this year, with Steaua failing to reach the Europa League group stages, having been eliminated by Rapid Vienna in the qualifying round.

What’s next?

He just needs to keep doing what he’s doing. This year Coman has added more goals and assists to his game, along with consistency. It’s that kind of form that will have bigger clubs looking in his direction.

2019 is also a year in which Coman will be expected to earn his first international call up with Romania. Having represented his country at U17, U19 and U21 level, the next step is the first team and there is no doubt it will come sooner rather than later.

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