A year on from penning a five-year contract at West Ham United, Hammers fans are finally getting a glimpse of the potential of 19-year-old Franco-Malian midfielder Mohamadou Kanté.
Signed from Paris FC in August 2024, Kanté returned to the then-Ligue 2 side on a season-long loan, making a handful of substitute appearances as they returned to the French first division for the first time since 1978.
Having found minutes hard to come by during his loan spell with Paris FC, Kanté slipped back into east London somewhat under the radar. That was until a cameo in the National League Cup against Woking saw him announce himself to West Ham fans, playing a part in the build up of Lewis Orford’s opening goal before scoring the second, entirely of his own making.
Despite his deep-lying midfield role, the 19-year-old is also off the mark in Premier League 2, scoring as a substitute at the home of the four-time and defending champions Manchester City, once again winning possession high up the field before unleashing a powerful finish, this time, with his left foot.
“To be honest, it’s been really good here,” Kanté said. “My arrival has gone very smoothly, without problems, so I’m feeling good. Everyone has made sure I feel welcome and feel at home.
“My English is still very basic, but there’s Adam [Crossley, Sports Science] who speaks French, I had spoken to him before I arrived at the Club, during my loan spell. During the tours, I spent some time with the French speakers, [Jean-Clair] Todibo, Max [Cornet], Malick [Diouf], Nayef [Aguerd], Alphonse [Areola]. Honestly, everything went well with them. They really made me feel welcome. It was a pleasure to have been made so welcome in such a short time.
“I was very happy to learn that I was part of the squad for both of the first team’s pre-season training camps. You can tell physically, it’s obviously a step up from Ligue 2, but I felt good. Day after day I felt my level getting higher, both technically and physically, just by playing with and watching the other pros.
“Everyone who loves football watches the Premier League. We know it's a big league. In France it's physical too, but here, it's much more physical. It’s a different level, in the gym, on the pitch, there’s more distance covered. It takes time to adapt, but I feel like I did that well during pre-season and now I’m ready to take on the challenge of English football.
“With Paris FC last season it was a complicated situation. I was full-time with the first team, only training with them. I made a handful of matchday squads but I wasn’t making it on the pitch except for a few substitute cameos towards the end of the season. There were some really good players on the team and as a club we made the step up to Ligue 1. To be honest, I learnt so much with the first team, even if I only got minutes on the pitch towards the end of the season.”
Now back in east London, Kanté is continuing his development with the U21s, combining a lean athletic frame with a high work rate. Ambitious but grounded, he has set clear targets for himself in his first full campaign in Claret and Blue.
He added: “For those who don’t know me, I’d say I’m a physical player, someone who keeps running. I like to create chances, but I also enjoy the defensive side. I’ll always give my all for the Club and the fans.
“My goal this season is to go all out. For me, that means scoring as many goals as possible for the U21s. If I had to set a number, I’d say at least ten goals and ten assists. And of course, I want to play as many matches as possible, whether that’s with the U21s or the first team.
“I’d love to make some matchday squads with the first team and hopefully be on the bench. Long term, the ambition is to establish myself there permanently. But for now, I’m focused on taking everything in, making the most of every opportunity, and repaying the faith the Club has shown in me.”
