Former Vietnam international Le Cong Vinh has some compliments for Thai midfielder Chanathip Songkrasin, who has also played at J-League side Consadole Sapporo.
On Saturday, Cong Vinh were in Thailand observing the Thai League 1 game between Chonburi FC and Suphanburi. On the same day, Chanathip made an impressive league debut for Consadole in a 2-0 win over Urawa Reds.
In Thailand, Vinh spent time with FourFourTwo Thailand and had some words for the Thai midfielder, who is dubbed as “Messi Jay”.
“I think he will play well in J-League because he is still young. He is very strong. There is no doubt he will do well in Consadole,” the former Vietnamese striker said.
“In addition, his skills are excellent. I’ve talked to him many times, he is quite good. Fortunately, he has played in a good team. Consadole chairman Yoshikazu Nonomura is a nice man. Of course, all the players are very friendly. Even the people in Sapporo.”
On the other hand, Vinh expressed his belief to the bright future of Chanathip in J-League and thought that the Thai will have an opportunity to improve in such a highly qualified football environment like Japan.
“If you ask me if he played better than I did, I think he really played better than me. Because he is still young. I believe he will score many goals and helps the team to survive at the top-flight league this season,” Cong Vinh added.
“All he needs now is the time. Of course, it was not easy for him. But I think he will progress.”
Vinh joined the then-J2-League Consadole in July 2013 on a loan deal from his club Song Lam Nghe An. His time with the Hokkaido-based club was scheduled to last five months, however, he decided to return Vietnam one month earlier than expected.
During his four months stay in Japan, he managed to score twice in 9 appearances for the club.