It was a bold call from new Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards. His side were leading 1-0 on the opening day against Swansea City with 20 minutes to go. His first substitution? Introducing 20-year-old Abdoulaye Kante.

The decision came just two weeks after the Ivorian joined the club. Still settling, still learning the language, the English game, and his new team-mates, he’d played only 15 minutes of last weekend’s friendly with Deportivo.

There was excitement at Boro this summer when they managed to land the young midfielder from Troyes. Kante’s only just turned 20 but already had over 50 senior appearances on his CV. Nevertheless, there was a call for patience as he integrates and adapts to life in a new country.

And yet, quite clearly having already made a big impression on Teesside

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