The forgotten former Tottenham player who equals Kylian Mbappé after an incredible start in LaLiga
Former Tottenham star Giovani Lo Celso's magnificent start to life with Real Betis has seen him move level with Kylian Mbappé in the scoring charts.
The Argentine is in the middle of a sensational scoring streak, having scored five goals in his last four games.
His exploits have allowed him to equal the former Paris Saint Germain teammate Kylian Mbappé who has also scored five goals in La Liga this season.
Lo Celso has scored each of Betis' last five goals, including Sunday's subsequent win at home against Espanyol.
Betis' decision to sign the Argentine at the end of the summer transfer market is proving to be a masterstroke that has helped their team rise to eighth place in the standings.
The midfielder has only started four times this season, but has had a huge impact for Manuel Pelligrini's team.
His heroic acts have earned Betis six of the 12 points accumulated so far this campaign and he has scored 63 percent of his team's goals.
Lo Celso is third in the LaLiga scoring charts, two goals behind leader Robert Lewandowski, one behind Ayoze Pérez and tied with Barcelona's Mbappé and Raphinha.
Following Sunday's latest win, Pelligrini reserved high praise for the Argentine and compared him to some of the legendary names he has coached over the years.
“The goals have overshadowed everything he does in the game,” Pelligrini told Marca. “He is constantly asking for the ball and gives it to his teammate with an advantage.
“The rate of goals has been added to all this. Everything we could have lost we have recovered with the goals he scored.
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“He has adapted quickly and personally, players I have had like Isco, Lo Celso, Riquelme or Cazorla are the ones who have to take charge of the last pass. “He has adapted brilliantly,” he told Marca.
Lo Celso, who is in his second spell at Betis, spent four years at Tottenham after a successful loan in 2019.
However, after struggling for a starting role in north London, Lo Celso spent two seasons on loan at Villarreal before returning to Spurs last season.
An injury forced the midfielder to sit out the 2022 World Cup in Argentina, despite being a key component of Lionel Scaloni's team during the qualifying campaign.
He was instrumental in Argentina winning back-to-back Copa América titles and was once hailed as the “best player on the national team” by the captain. Lionel Messi.
