Bumper contract for Ben
Superstar Messi’s a massive Mane fan
THE shortlist for the best player in world football will be announced on Monday.
And if there is any justice, then Sadio Mane will be among the five Ballon d’Or nominees.
Who says? Well, Lionel Messi for a start. And the latest top-level defender to face him, Thiago Silva.
Both believe the Liverpool forward has reached the summit of the global game in 2019 and the stats back that up.
Last season, Mane was voted the Reds’ best attacking player by the fans after inspiring them to Champions League glory. He was man of the match against Spurs in the final, and in the epic semi-final defeat of Barcelona.
Last season, Mane finished joint top scorer in the Premier League alongside team-mate Mo Salah and Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
But this season, he has improved from 0.6 to 0.7 goals per game, and reduced his playing time per goal from 140 to 122 minutes. His shots-on-target ratio is better, and the conversion rate has improved.
He has also improved his chances created for others, an area where Salah has always been stronger.
The Senegal international’s big chances created per game has leapt from 1.3 last season to 1.9, while his successful dribbles has glided to new highs. “He’s so talented, he deserves to win the Ballon d’Or,” said Messi.
And Silva (right), after facing him for Brazil during the international break, agreed, saying: “He’s world class, almost perfect, he deserves to be in the discussion for the Ballon d’Or.”
Both were reacting to the surprising decision not to include Liverpool’s best player on the UEFA and FIFA lists.
Mane’s reaction to missing out on both could be why he has continued to improve.
When asked about Virgil van Dijk and Salah getting shortlisted ahead of him, Mane said: “I am happy for them.
“I think it is a reflection for the team. And I am more focused on trophies for the team than individual honours.”
When he was asked about a well-publicised spat with Salah, after his team-mate did not pass at Burnley, he added: “Mo Salah asked me why I was angry. I said, ‘Because we wanted to score more goals for the team.’”
Anfield legend Jamie Carragher has likened Mane to John Barnes.
“A world-class wide player who is the difference now for Liverpool,” he said. “And to be compared to Barnes shows how well he’s
tension in the dressing room after the game.
“Gini is a good guy, he loves to tease,” said Mane. “He was waiting for everyone to come together and then he walks towards me, and shouts very loudly, ‘Mo Salah, why does Mane want to beat you?’
“The whole team broke down in doing!” Robbie Fowler, who played with Barnes, added: “You put him ahead of Salah in terms of impact over the past year. He’s stepped up, proved the defining influence.”
Yet Mane doesn’t crave the limelight and in a recent interview, he explained why.
“I enjoy being here, I enjoy being a part of this,” he said.
“I am grateful I can put my heart and soul into it, and see the results for Liverpool. I remain humble about that, because I want to work every day.
“I am happy I can give back. I help people, I prefer to build schools and give food and clothes to poor people. Why do I want 10 Ferraris, 20 watches with diamonds and two planes, what would that do for the world?
“I went hungry, worked in a field, played barefoot and did not go to school. Today I can help people.”
Which is another reason his could be on that all-important list on Monday. LEICESTER are ready to offer England star Ben Chilwell a new £25m deal – even though he has got five years left on his current contract.
The defender, 22, committed himself to the club until 2024 a year ago but his rapid emergence has alerted Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham.
Ambitious Leicester are keen to reward the full-back with a pay hike to £100,000 a week in a bid to try to safeguard one of their prize assets.
Although that would leave him behind senior stars like Jamie Vardy and Kasper Schmeichel, it will put him up among the club’s highest earners.
Chilwell signed a new long-term contract a few days after Harry Maguire, who still went to Manchester United for £80m, a world record for a defender.
Home-grown Chilwell is valued at £50m.
A graduate from the academy after joining the club at 12, he has played for England from Under-18 through to Under-21 level before breaking into the senior side.