Youri Tielemans’ arrival at Arsenal in the summer would certainly be welcomed by everyone associated with the club. But, Albert Sambi Lokonga would be the player to benefit most from the Belgian’s transfer to the Gunners.
Sambi Lokonga is following the same path as Tielemans in terms of breaking through into the Anderlecht first team at a young age, and then going on to captain the side before reaching the age of 20. Then eventually making a big move into the European top five leagues.
Tielemans could provide the perfect role model for Sambi Lokonga if he was to join the club. Sambi Lokonga has struggled to adapt in his first season in the Premier League, but he still has the potential to succeed at Arsenal.
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CBS Sports have reported that the Gunners are currently the front runners to sign Youri Tielemans. Arsenal reportedly already know that the Belgian will not sign a new deal and could be available for as little as £25m.
Tielemans has played the most minutes compared to any other player at the age of 24 or younger so far in their career, and it is by a large distance. Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus falls in second place, having played 10,000 minutes less than the midfielder.
The 24-year-old has been a regular in the Premier League for the last three seasons and has played a big part in Leicester's Champions League push over the last few campaigns. The midfielder's impressive performances have seen the likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid show interest in him.
But before he made the move to the Premier League, he graduated from Anderlecht’s academy similar to Sambi Lokonga. The 21-year-old was signed by Arsenal to be an understudy to Thomas Partey ahead of this season.
Sambi Lokonga has been tasked with playing in the anchor role multiple times this season, and it is a position that he could nail down once he has fully adapted to the pace of the Premier League. The youngster is a player who thrives when he has the confidence in his game, but that was unfortunately missing during his difficult spell after the turn of the new year.
With Tielemans also facing setbacks during his career after a tough spell at AS Monaco after he left Anderlecht, the 25-year-old could be the ideal role model for Sambi Lokonga. Not only do they play in the same position and for the same nation, but they have also followed a similar career trajectory.
