Football League World
·5 September 2024
Football League World
·5 September 2024
FLW's Bristol City fan pundit has claimed that Fally Mayulu is their most valuable player and the Robins shouldn't sell him for anywhere under £5m.
This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...
Bristol City made some inspired signings over the summer, but the capture of Fally Mayulu has been a great piece of business so far.
Mayulu joined the Robins for a reported fee of £2.5 million from Austrian side Rapid Vienna and has already grabbed the hearts of the Ashton Gate crowd.
The 22-year-old has so far scored twice in four appearances in the Championship, all appearing off the bench.
After impressing in Austria, the Frenchman has shown his abilities and is certainly living up to his fee without even a start to his name.
He's a unique striker, but has a profile that fits the Championship, and can really kick on judging by his early career.
FLW's Bristol City fan pundit, Tom Sandy, believes that the sky could be the limit for Mayulu after his impressive start and picked the French attacker when asked by FLW who Bristol City's most valuable player is right now in their current squad.
Sandy said: "It would have to be Fally Mayulu. Tall, French striker, he's got a profile teams look out for and want to sign.
"He's 6'4, pacey, good with his feet, all the markings of a great striker, all the markings of a striker, which teams will take notice of and see that he's got something different.
"Another thing is, his age, he's young, and he can go anywhere with his career and if he can build on his performances so far this season, his career could skyrocket up. "We bought him for £2.5 million, so I don't know how much his value would've gone up, taking in all the factors, his start to the season, playing in England, which will only increase his market value. "I think if we were to sell him in January, it wouldn't be less than £5m. Even if he doesn't perform well between now and then, I still think he'd go for twice of what we paid for him.
"With the profile he has and the heads he's turned by his performances so far I see him as our most valuable player right now."
With his profile and his strong start, who knows how high the young striker's ceiling actually is.
His energetic presence off the bench has been a joy to watch for the Robins this season, as the forward ticks all the boxes for requirements in a striker that can go far in his career.
His attributes would be a perfect fit for any Championship team, and if Mayulu begins to start more games and his form continues, it wouldn't be a surprise if Premier League teams came knocking.
Robins boss Liam Manning has defended his decision to only start Mayulu on the bench so far, explaining that he wants to keep the player grounded.
Speaking to Bristol Live, the Bristol City manager said: "It’s tough to have an expectation because you don't know. So I think if you set an expectation, you potentially get disappointed.
"I know what qualities he's got because I've done a lot of work watching him, as have the recruitment guys.
“(But) I think you never know. So, rather than have an expectation, I think give him time, support him, coach him, give him the information, and see how he transfers it.
"It's a long season and I think he's literally just turned 22. He's exciting, he's got huge potential. I think what we have to make sure of, and what we're going to push him to do is now look at how he sustains the level he's shown, across those 45–50 games."
This choice could be wise from Manning to help Mayulu in his bid to reach his potential.
We've seen players in the past crumble, after a strong start turns out to be their peak.
Keep an eye on the Frenchman this season as one to watch.
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