It has not gone unnoticed just how much of an important role Kion Etete has played under Sabri Lamouchi at Cardiff City.
Etete earned his first start under the Frenchman at Birmingham City. He has been named in the starting lineup in four of the last six games and the Bluebirds have earned 10 points in that six-match period.
Those within the club believe the striker to have a high ceiling, although it is also fair to say we have not quite seen the best of him in a City shirt this season. He can lose the ball, he can take up positions out wide when Cardiff need him centrally and his goal return of just one in 24 games is hardly prolific.
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But, clearly, Lamouchi has seen something in him. Pairing him alongside Sory Kaba and Connor Wickham has given Cardiff a better platform at the top of the pitch and while Etete isn't finding the back of the net, being a crucial part in this change of system is clearly bettering the team and their results.
The jury is probably still out for many on the 21-year-old striker, who was signed from Tottenham last summer, and Lamouchi knows he has to improve, too. But the manager also thinks that with a more "killer" instinct in the box and, maybe just a goal or two more to his name, he could flourish.
"He has got potential, if not, he wouldn't start for me," Lamouchi said of Etete. "He deserved to score (more). He might need to be more aggressive in the last third, in the box, as a killer. It's too nice.
"But, for me he has huge potential. He is a nice boy, working hard, doing well. But he can do better - much, much better.
"He deserved to score, but I'm sure with one goal he will start to do better and better."
Lamouchi was also at pains to stress that Cardiff's shortcomings in front of goal this term should be solely be placed on misfiring strikers. He believes everyone should shoulder the blame.
When the topic of Etete's poor scoring record is raised, the Frenchman quickly responds: "I want to be clear and honest. If when you are the worst attack in the league, it's not because of only your attackers.
"It's about a big question about the strategy, team, the manager, everything. I don't like to be the last one and we are the last (in scoring stats).
"We have to accept that. It's not good, but we are working on it. We are trying to get points. For that, we need to make clean sheets, score, win and save the club.
"I prefer to lose this kind of selection, being the worst attack, and to get more points and be safe as soon as possible. This is the most important thing for the club.
"But it's not particularly just the striker. It's not good for Cardiff City."
Etete is fighting for a spot up top alongside Connor Wickham and Sory Kaba, with the latter proving to be a hit with the fans thanks to his three goals since joining the club.
Lamouchi has spoken highly of Kaba, indeed he has tasked him with finishing the season as the club's top scorer, which you can read about here. But while it's easy to lump Etete and Kaba together as similar players, Lamouchi sees it differently.
When asked whether Etete could learn to be more of a "killer" in the box from Kaba, Lamouchi replied: "They are two different players. Even Connor Wickham is different to Sory and Kion. Callum Robinson is more different.
"The most important thing for the manager and the club is to find the right energy and combination between them and between the others to put on the pitch the best system, the best way to attack and to score the goals and get maximum points.
"When I came I knew the situation. We are working on that. As I told you from day one, I am thinking this squad has quality enough to save the club.
"Kion has huge potential. He needs to work every day and to have more confidence. He has my confidence, I trust him like I trust all of them. Because game after game, they show me the trust back and the attitude and I love it."
Lamouchi will hope Etete can find his scoring boots when they take on Rotherham United this weekend in a crucial match in the fight for Championship survival.
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