There is this belief that journalists wax lyrical albeit one or two good performances of their sporting heroes but recent performances of Gideon Asante make such a thought a misnomer as his consistent sparkling performances continue to jolt people out of that belief.
Not since Winful Cobbina have Hearts had a player so adept to controlling the game but what really makes him valuable is his work rate considering his slender frame.
The 20-year-old who joined Hearts from Tema XI at the beginning of the season is a joy to watch when in possession and when he decides to dribble past players. It's not rare to see him go past two or three of them in just one of his runs.
With his magnetic right foot, he has the penchant of faking a pass, faking a shot, faking a direction in movement before he bursts away and leaves his markers chasing shadows. His team-mates and fans alike find it amusing.
His opponents, however, don’t find it amusing. Many have already labeled him as the ‘new Ronaldinho,’ but he’s not- yet. To believe the same and to then immediately expect the type of service the Brazil and Barcelona legend provided is unfair.
Lest we forget, despite his magnificent performances for the club and by common decree, one of the best youngsters in his position in the country, he is still only 20 years of age. In order for him to be giving of his best at the club, he must be allowed some breathing space and not to be suffocated under the huge weight of expectation.
He can dribble intelligently, and pass a ball well as his accuracy evidences, and he’ll have no issue in either putting his foot in when necessary or supplementing the attack. But ‘Dinho-esque’ excellence won’t happen overnight.
Asante needs to be eased into the system and allowed to develop a new set of skills. ‘The Phobia way,’ if you prefer. His intelligence on the ball is spectacular for one so young, and transitionally as a team, the Phobians should find the ball being recycled from back to front much quicker.
On Saturday, social media were awash with effusive praises for the young lad after his superb showing against Bibiani Goldstars.
There’s an oft- repeated suggestion that the player is a perfect inclusion in the Hearts setup, and that he has the necessary playing attributes to succeed. Aside his on-pitch exploits, he’ll also need incredible mental strength to get through the ordeal of his first season at one of the biggest clubs on the continent.
Asante also has some growing up to do. First, he’ll need to gain some upper-body strength if he wants to compete at the highest level on a more frequent basis.
It certainly takes time for one to achieve the aforementioned qualities. Should he be given time to settle, it will be a travesty beyond compare if the boy from Pankrono-Atimatim does not have the world talking about him in the next few years.
Slavko Matic and the first team squad are happy with his progress to this point, and he’s most certainly a worthwhile addition. He adds pace and trickery to Hearts' front line and offers something different.
Be under no illusions. This is a player in it for the long haul. Who’ll keep on rising after each failure. It takes bravery and strength of character to dig your heels in at a big club like Hearts when so young. Many would’ve buckled, but not Asante.
He’ll not crumble now either. Patience is a virtue and Hearts will reap the rewards by allowing the young forward to develop in his own time.
By: Godfred Budu
