Jan Kuchta left Sparta Prague for Danish Midtjylland. Kuchta was very important for the attack of the Czech team. But Sparta Prague has a replacement ready for the representative of the Czech Republic.
Albion Rrahmani has become the most expensive transfer in the history of Sparta Prague. And from the start it has proven that millions were invested right into it.
After debuting with a goal against Malmo in the Champions League match, Rrahmani debuted with a goal and an assist in the Czech championship. On Saturday night, Sparta Prague won 2:0 on the road against Hradec Kralove. The Kosovar striker assisted in the first goal, while he scored the second with an assist from Ermal Krasniqi. He left the field after only 50 minutes of play, while the coach of the Czech champion said that Rrahmani played as much as he had strength.
Sparta expects a lot from the 24-year-old. And if Rrahmani continues his form like in the first two games, Sparta's ardent fans will quickly forget about Kuchtan, whose name was called in Saturday's game.
"I liked it as long as it had energy and strength. We haven't had much time to practice together as we have matches all the time. But he is calm with the ball, has a good finishing of actions, a good view of the game and sees his teammates well on the field", said Sparta coach Lars Friis about Rrahman. "He obviously has to get used to our style of play, intensity and teammates. He is a team player. I can't wait to work with him more", added the coach of the Czech champion.
Rrahman's goal was very beautiful. He shot correctly for 2:0, at the end of the first half. But in the second half he played only five minutes, although he wanted to stay longer on the field.
"We were planning to replace him after a short time. He worked very hard and then he was spent. When he remained on the field after a duel, I decided to replace him immediately", continued the Danish coach.
Friis then had a conversation with Rrahman, after the striker left the field.
"I talked to him even during the break. He worked well on the field. But I think that when you come to a new club and a new place, you should enjoy the moments when things go well", explained the coach of Sparta Prague.
Even his teammates have admitted that Rrahmani does not miss chances in the area.
"He has not yet adapted to us completely, but he has done a great job. He is an outstanding 'killer' in the area. That's probably why Sparta brought him," said Tomash Wiesner, defender of the Czech champion.
Czech media have written that Sparta already has a worthy replacement for Kuchta.
But Rrahmani could actually be significantly better than Kuchta, if he continues to score like he did at Rapid Bucharest.
Now Rrahmani and Ermal Krasniqi join Kosovo for the matches with Romania and Cyprus. With the current form, Rrahmani is expected to have his minutes in the representative team.