Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe is better than Thierry Henry was at 18, insists Louis Saha: 'He's just amazing'

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Kylian Mbappe is on target to surpass the achievements of Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, according to former France striker Louis Saha.

Mbappe burst onto the scene during Monaco's run to the last four of the Champions League last season, scoring six goals which led to a loan move to Paris Saint-Germain that will become permanent next season for a monstrous £166million.

Still aged only 18, Saha believes Mbappe is ahead of the stage Thierry Henry was at at the same age, while the former Manchester United striker is in awe of the talent the young star possesses.

Kylian Mbappe has emerged as one of the most talented young players in European football

Mbappe (centre) looks around Celtic Park ahead of their Champions League game

'For an 18-year-old, he's just amazing,' Saha said. 'The way he moves, the way he understands his qualities and controls them, I'm amazed.

'It's not a compliment because everyone is talking about him. He's that good. Having pace and knowing how to use it, it's really hard, believe me. 

'Say someone like Nani for example, he's one of the strongest players I've ever seen, a really pacey player. But sometimes he lacks the understanding of how to control it. That's why people get frustrated. 

'Mbappe is not like that, he understands. He's in the box when he's needed to be, he knows how to play on the side and get you chances. He'll put a cross at the right time and shoot at the right time.

He has earned comparisons with Thierry Henry, who also started his career with Monaco

Louis Saha believes Mbappe is a better played than Thierry Henry was at his age

'He's an unbelievable talent, he's only 18. At this age, I don't think even Thierry Henry was at this level.' 

Henry also burst onto the scene at Monaco in the late 1990s before a move to Juventus, but it's at Arsenal his career really took off. The Frenchman became the club's record goalscorer, won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups before moving to Barcelona where he won the Champions League in 2009. 

Mbappe and his PSG team-mates are in Champions League action this week when they face Celtic in their opening game of the campaign.

Mbappe burst onto the scene during Monaco's run to the last four of the Champions League

Louis Saha has made the Big Call with online betting site BetStars. He is backing Real Madrid to win the Champions League. #Callit at www.betstars.uk/sites/football/championsleaguepreview