Asante Kotoko coach Maxwell Konadu believes teenager Matthew Anim Cudjoe is ready to take on players in the Ghana Premier League.
Konadu admits a player of Cudjoe’s talent deserves more playing time, but emphasised that there is no need to rush his development.
Maxwell Konadu’s point has been reiterated by the player’s manager, Samuel Anim Addo, who says the rise will be handled steadily.
Matthew Anim Cudjoe is 16 years old and already the son of Asamoah Gyan’s manager and GFA Executive Council member Samuel Anim Addo is ready to wear the big shoes as an African best player.
Popularly known as the Young Messi, Matthew Anim Cudjoe has shown excellent talent and won many hearts of football fans.
He has also attracted interest from football giants such as Spanish top-flight FC Barcelona, and Bayern Munich, according to his manager.
The winger has been making the headlines for his good display for Kotoko since the start of the season after he joined from Division One side Young Apostles FC.
But according to Samuel Anim Addo, there is no rush in sending the boy out.
“As at now there is a deal with Kotoko that runs till the end of the season. The clubs will tell us what they want and I can tell you apart from Bayern Munich there are other clubs who want to have the boy and the most important thing is to give him the right programme. If Bayern brings a programme that will develop the boy [as] we want, where the boy will be given the chance not to be put in a place where they will not develop him we will not take it.
“If you come to me I will tell you the boy is a world best material so if you want a world best material, you should be willing to give him the right programme, the right development and the right environment because he is a national asset. As we speak, the president says he is also interested in whatever deal we have for the boy so that we can be able to guide the boy for him to rise to the level that he needs to.”
Maxwell Konadu says the mercurial striker deserves more playing time.
“He is a genius and we need to protect him. We know he is still growing and that’s why we are not rushing him. We have to be patient with him and make sure that we guide him and use him at the right time. He is still young and definitely Ghana will benefit from the qualities he has. He needs to develop and learn a couple of things more to make him a complete player so let’s give him time and that’s what we are doing right now.”
The 16-year-old has wowed Kotoko faithfuls so far playing against Legon Cities, Berekum Chelsea, Ebusua Dwarfs and in last weekend’s win over Hearts of Oak.
By Nana Akua Amankwaa Quaye|3news.com|Ghana