Ismael Kone: Sheffield United transfer target outlines his future plans as impressive World Cup display v Belgium draws praise

Ismael Kone, the Sheffield United target, has outlined his plans to play in Europe and “at the highest level” after the Canadian earned praise for his performance at the World Cup against Belgium.
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Canada, ranked 41st in the world, were impressive against Belgium, who nevertheless prevailed 1-0 thanks to Michy Batshuayi’s winner just before half-time, and Kone played just over an hour off the bench against one of the planet’s best midfielders in Kevin De Bruyne.

Despite not being at his best, the Manchester City man was named the official man of the match but it was a cameo which justified United’s interest in Montreal man Kone, who was lined up as Sander Berge’s replacement should the Norwegian be sold in the last transfer window.

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United have retained an interest in Kone if Berge does depart in the future but run the risk of losing out on his services if he impresses on the world stage; Kone has been compared to his international teammate Alphonso Davies, in terms of talent levels, and former coach Rocco Placentino remembered Kone’s early insistence that he wanted to play in Europe one day.

Asked by The Athletic before the tournament started what going to the World Cup means to him, Kone paused for 10 seconds. “I’m trying to find the right words, but it’s impossible. It’s bigger than a dream. I know going to the World Cup would give me another platform. I just want to let my game do the talking. I want to play ball at the highest level.”

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