Cheick Keita will return to the club in July after his loan spell ends at Bologna. The left back/winger will likely be assessed by manager Garry Monk and his staff before a decision is made on his future.
The 22-year-old did not play regularly while out on loan in Italy, but the player is a promising talent.
Fans on Twitter are keen to see the Malian given another chance at St Andrews next season:
@GarryMonk will assess him, surely. The only other player with his ability on the ball I’ve seen down St Andrews was dugarry! So much potentially, but I can only see it working out at LW for him
— – (@RacingJamesUK) 29 May 2018
Kieta mags Jota and Otobor…. some attacking players there
— stu bcfc1875 (@stuartroberts18) 29 May 2018
Look at what Sessegnon did at Fulham this season or what Bryan at Bristol City has the skills to do. Definitely deserves a chance. Stick Maghoma on the opposite side and the wingers are sorted. Jota down the middle and a mid and striker
— LMcK Kieran (@Kieran994245761) 29 May 2018
would like to see him more midfield/attacking could cause problems.
— Andrew Wood (@woody19901) 29 May 2018
It’s n.a. easy yes the lad is talented if they let him go think we will regret it big time
— ????????????????????????stblues???????????????????????? (@Bustervessels) 29 May 2018
I reckon he will be a good LM/LW option. He didn’t do bad at all under Zola
— Luke (@ItsLukeee9) 29 May 2018
Love to see him given a chance on the wing
— des butler (@zuluboys2015) 29 May 2018
Yep definitely as a winger
— Ryan (@ryancrezza2000) 29 May 2018
I’d love to keep him but doubt we will
— Ben Mountford (@Benjfordays) 29 May 2018
I’d love him to play. So good going forwards
— baggy (@_baggyaaron) 29 May 2018
Verdict:
A skillful player who showed glimpses under Gianfranco Zola what he is capable of, I think there is a case to be made for Keita to be given a run-out in pre-season to impress.
As some say, he could feel more at home playing further up the field as a winger. With Kristian Pedersen’s possibly arriving from Union Berlin, to play as our left-back, the defender may not get many opportunities at full-back.
Utilising his talent on the wing could be a solution, and give us more options in attack.