Anthony Martial Told He Is Not “World Class” Like Harry Kane

Anthony Martial is not “ruthless enough in front of goal” to be labelled world class, that’s what former Premier League ace Darren Bent believes.

The 24-year-old has enjoyed an excellent campaign as Manchester United striker's main centre-forward, scoring 17 goals during his most prolific Premier League season to date.

But the Frenchman drew criticism after the quarter-final victory over Copenhagen on Monday.

And Bent believes Martial is yet to show the instinctive finishing expected of a world-class striker such as England captain Harry Kane.

“I think he’s a very good footballer, he’s got fantastic feet, but I still don’t think he’s ruthless enough in front of goal,” the former England striker told talkSPORT.

“He’s not world class, not yet. You can’t start calling him world class after one good season. Robert Lewandowski is world class. Harry Kane is world class.

“If he can consistently keep putting these goals in over a number of years then of course you can put him in there, but not yet.

“Martial shows flashes of brilliance at times, but if you were to put Kane in those positions last night how many of those chances would he have scored? Probably all of them, because that’s how ruthless he is.”

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Fellow talkSPORT presenter Jason Cundy echoed Bent's comments and claimed United should be looking to buy a new No9.

This article was most recently revised and updated 4 years ago