Exclusive:'I like him a lot' - Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink tells Leeds United what to expect from Jean-Mattéo Bahoya
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has assessed Leeds United’s latest recruit Jean-Mattéo Bahoya
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes Jean-Mattéo Bahoya will add fearlessness to the Leeds United attack.
Bahoya joined the Whites from Eintracht Frankfurt in the dying embers of deadline day, penning a season-long loan deal containing a conditional buy obligation.
A fleet-footed winger, the 21-year-old has made just one cameo appearance since his arrival at Elland Road.
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Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink on Jean-Mattéo Bahoya
Hasselbaink, who represented Leeds between 1997 and 1999, told The Yorkshire Post: “He gives the Leeds attack something different, something that the others don’t have
“He plays with more freedom because he doesn't know about the dangers of the Premier League yet.
“In the past, they had that fearless player, way back when with Michael Bridges and Alan Smith. He is like those players. It's nice to see youngsters coming through.”
Bahoya only played a handful of minutes in Leeds’ goalless draw with Crystal Palace on September 20, but did look lively in his brief outing.
He is currently on international duty with France Under-21s and the Elland Road faithful will be eager to see more of him upon his return.
Hasselbaink said: “He’s a bit of an unknown, because obviously he's young, so some people and players don't know him or what he can do.”
“I like him a lot, and if Daniel Farke thinks he is the real deal, then very soon, he will be playing a lot more.”
Jean-Mattéo Bahoya’s Leeds United debut
Bahoya’s debut may not have looked like the stuff of dreams on the surface but for the winger, it marked the fulfiment of a childhood ambition.
He said: “There was a lot of emotion. I was proud because when I was young, it was one of my dreams to play in the Premier League. So now I'm happy to play in this stadium at home, with this atmosphere - a really good start.
“Not the best for the team because we had only one point, but it was a good point to keep going.”