Ex-Aston Villa scout likens Brian Madjo to legendary striker, suggests starting role
Brian Madjo has the style of a young Romelu Lukaku and could be a shining light this season for Aston Villa after such a gutting summer transfer window.
That is the opinion of former senior Villa and Everton scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The 17-year-old burst onto the scene against PSG in the Super Cup final, scoring his first-ever senior goal on a night in which he could have scored three against some of the world's best defenders.
Villa signed Madjo from FC Metz in January for £10million, and eventually won an appeal allowing him to feature before he turns 18.
The England youth international is expected to play a significant role this summer and is one of several young players with huge expectations on their shoulders.
Villa have lost Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers and Lucas Digne already, and are expected to lose Ezri Konsa in the coming days, while Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez could also join them.
Brian Madjo is 'very similar to Romelu Lukaku'
Lukaku's own breakthrough came when he was just 16, and scored 19 goals across all competitions for Anderlecht.
He would score 20 in the next campaign before signing for Chelsea, and scoring 17 while on loan at West Brom in the Premier League.
Madjo has not got that type of scoring pedigree yet, but there are comparisons to be drawn in both striker's physicality.
The young Villa man stands at 6ft 4in and nearly 16st, allowing him to throw defenders to the side and get his shot away.
Work clearly still needs to be done on his finishing, but there is little arguing with the tremendous physical tools at the teenager's disposal.
"At this moment, he's probably unproven as a centre-forward but he's a very similar shape and size to Lukaku and very powerful," King told Football Insider.
"So it'll be interesting to see how his season materialises. I'd play him, because he didn't look out of place in that game, did he?"
He continued: "I think the centre forward could be a ray of light, to be honest. I think he could certainly be a ray of light."
Stan Collymore repeats Lukaku comparison
Former Villa man Stan Collymore was among those blown away by Madjo's debut.
"Madjo. A colossus of a man, reminiscent of a Lukaku when he comes towards the ball, holds it, pops it off and spins away," he wrote.
"Would like to see him pull defenders into a channel and see what he's got one versus one. Thoroughbred athletic profile."
Villa will have to do their job to protect Madjo and control the expectations, but there will be significant excitement surrounding the prospect, and for good reason.