Momodou Sonko is proving his growing value to KAA Gent. The attacker headed Gent level in Saturday's top-of-the-table clash against Racing Genk, a match that finished 1-1.
Rik De Mil, the Gent head coach, sees the 21-year-old player gaining more influence. "We have had a lot of conversations and also known difficult moments," said De Mil. "Sometimes we had to be hard on each other." Those talks have led to better physical condition and more work off the ball, according to the coach. Sonko's goal output is important, but his pressing and running are now becoming a constant.
Development
Sonko opened the scoring after ten minutes from a Tiago Araújo assist. That early strike was his first of the season and came in a significant fixture. Gent sit second in the Jupiler Pro League after six matchdays with sixteen points. The team is unbeaten in five matches, a run that started with the European qualifier against Hibernian.
De Mil stresses that Sonko can maintain his level despite a busy schedule. "I think there is still more in him," the coach responded. He points to the progress in Sonko's all-round game and his ability to influence matches. That development is important for the coming weeks, which include a home game against Standard Liege on the schedule.
Gent play that sixth-placed Standard on Friday night. The team will again have to do without the injured Matisse Samoise. The full squad for that match will be announced later this week. The fixtures against Standard and the following match against KV Mechelen can be found on the schedule.
Sonko's growth fits into a strong start to the season for Gent, who have scored eleven goals and conceded just three. The equaliser against Genk ensured the team took a point from a tough away trip. The next test is now at home.
Read the full report at Voetbalkrant.com
