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da esport bet： Lille Sporting Director Luis Campos has likened Arsenal forward Nicolas Pepe to Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe.
What’s the word?
Campos, 55, has been in his talent-spotting role with Lille since 2017 and has been responsible with unearthing over £500m worth of young talent that has been sold on with Monaco and Lille respectively.
After the Ivorian’s £72m move to the Gunners’ from the French-outfit in the summer, the 24-year-old is yet to uncover the scintillating form that resulted in him moving to north London.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Campos believe that Pepe has all the tools in his locker to become one of the very best and has drawn a comparison between the winger and the Juventus and PSG stars.
“In my opinion one of the characteristics of a top, top player is that they like football”, said Campos.
“I remember working with Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe. They know everything about football. Mbappe knew all the results of the second division in France.
“Nicolas Pepe is like that. Heʼs another example of the importance of a player liking football. After a game he watches the whole game again two times, to make himself more perfect.”
Fan of football
Campos emphasised the fact that because Pepe is a “fan of football”, it is a vital trait to possess. It certainly showed during his time with Lille.
The Ivorian winger scored 37 goals in 79 appearances for Les Dogues and provided 17 assists, encouraging the Gunners’ to spend a gargantuan sum of money for his services.
It’s easy to see why Campos believes in the comparisons, a tricky and pacey winger with an eye for goal and a killer pass similar to the PSG star and the former Manchester United winger.
Despite having a difficult start to life in north London, there are sure to be plenty of opportunities for Pepe to excel in his role.
With the Gunners’ possessing attacking power in Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang alongside him, he has the top-class teammates alongside him to live up to Campos’ beliefs.