HE has a hairstyle that would make even Marouane Fellaini raise an eyebrow – and a talent that will raise plenty more.
Meet Tahith Chong, the latest Manchester United rookie being tipped for glory, and a youngster who could end up saving Jose Mourinho millions.
Chong is only 18, yet has already had to battle back from a major knee injury which kept him on the sidelines for ten months.
The United winger was born on the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao and snapped up from Feyenoord’s youth system two years ago.
And his progress has been so immense that Mourinho has made several personal checks to watch him in action – especially since he was promoted to the Under 23s.
Chong has played just two games for the higher age rank, but been United’s star man on both occasions.
And Old Trafford insiders reckon he could be the long-term answer to the right wing slot where United have had a rich history over the years.
Yet Mourinho has struggled to find a consistent answer, with Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Ashley Young all having a go.
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Dutch teenager Chong, though, has regularly impressed for the Under 18s and now Ricky Sbragia’s Under 23s.
Despite being left-footed – he has also played on that flank – he primarily appears on the right, and has terrorised opponents in the youth ranks.
But there is more to his game than raw speed and attacking full backs. Much, much more.
Chong has a reputation as being fearless, he has a work rate manager’s would kill for, and his size – just over 6ft – gives him the added bonus of an aerial threat.
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At times he has been nigh on unplayable in his own age group.
And although he was unable to help as United lost to Liverpool in the European U19 Youth League clash, he went closer than anyone to finding the net.
In that shoot-out on Wednesday, Chong largely operate on the right of a front three, but showed his versatility by regularly popping up in the middle and left as well.
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This season he has been banging goals in with either foot.
He showed his talents with a stunning goal on his Under 23s debut in the recent loss to Spurs – with Mourinho watching from the stands.
Chong’s progress certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed by EA Sports, who have included him in United’s senior squad in their FIFA 18 game.
And while he has yet to get a first team chance, it is only a matter of time and plenty more will know all about him before much longer.
So will Jose introduce the whizz-kid to the fold before the season’s out? We’ll have to wait and see.
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