Top scorer of the Euro at the end of the group stage, Georges Mikautadze ends his season in apotheosis after a failure at Ajax followed by a rebound in Ligue 1 which almost resulted in the rescue of FC Metz. Announced close to Monaco, the Georgian has not yet officially chosen his next destination and many clubs will be on the lookout.
Could “King George” have saved Metz if he had been there all season? With these circumstances, anything is possible. However, reality forces us to observe: Georges Mikautadze is currently rising from its ashes, creating a sensation with its national team at theEuro 2024. With three goals on the clock, he surpasses Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Kane or Kylian Mbappé and brings a very nice offensive asset to the Georgia. Feats that would have seemed difficult this winter.
A cannonball end to the season
It was already announced the day before the match against Czech Republic : Don’t miss it is among the best European attackers at the moment, and his performance against the Portugal this Wednesday only amplified that feeling. Scorer and passer, he allowed his outsider team to qualify for the final phase of the tournament, while being fully effective in front of his opponents’ goals.
Involved in 14 shots during the first day of Group F, he immediately announced his colors and distinguished himself as a shooting star of this Euro. One of those that never cease to shine at the end of June.
Which makes sense when you look at the Georgian’s second half of the season. Back at Metz after a departureAjaxhe has always claimed to want to regain his form from last year (voted top scorer of Ligue 2 2022-23), and therefore score. Unsurprisingly, he ended up distinguishing himself in the final sprint for relegation by scoring eight goals in seven games – too close, however, to keep the club from eastern France in the elite.
In great shape, he is also dubbed by his coach, Willy Sagnol. The latter did not skimp on the compliments concerning him and his season even before theEuro does not begin. A kind of bet already winning in mid-May.He’s a talented player. I think the fact that he’s getting up a little late is because he’s a player who when he was young didn’t work hard enough. But he’s a player who’s starting to understand that to get there, you have to work very hard.. He is in the process of relaunching himself. Almost single-handedly, he almost succeeded in maintaining Metz“, he expressed himself in theAfter Foot.
And why not continue his ascent a little further with the Little Thumb of Europe championship ?
Difficulties outside France
Perhaps because, although he is having a truly extraordinary end to the season, Don’t miss it struggled in the Netherlands after his summer transfer last year. Arriving at theAjax full of dreams, he quickly became disillusioned. Very little used despite the poor results of Ajacides (9 games, 0 goals), the center forward did not convince and lost the splendor displayed last season.
And it must be admitted that despite his return to Metz This winter, the offensive genius of the Messin, as well as his dribbling and his tendency to lead counter-attacks did not immediately take shape on the pitches of Ligue 1. As proof, it was not until March that he was fully operational. From then on, he scored 14 goals and provided 4 assists to his teammates, to the great delight of his supporters and László Bölöni.
“After losing his joy of life at Ajax Amsterdam, he is now finding his well-being again”had attested the coach of Garnets last April. “When you have a scorer, it’s the greatest happiness.” There is no doubt that his return to Ligue 1 did him good and conditioned him to undertake a great Euro.
Courted before the tournament by several clubs, the player seemed to be interested in a transfer to Monaco and to stay in L1. But, his recent performances have demonstrated his abilities to all of Europe. It remains to be seen whether the “King George” will therefore stay in France or take the risk of repeating the Dutch experience next year. What is certain, in any case, is that he will still give everything againstSpain June 30.
