Ben Lhassine Kone, probably better known by the width and breadth of park-based chatter as just 'Kone', first saw the light of day on March 14, 2000, and so begins his sprightly tale. Hailing from the colourful locality of the Ivory Coast, Kone has since slipped comfortably into his role in life as a central midfielder. His current club, Como, must surely value his robust midfield presence and strategic vision enabled by his advantageous position standing at 5ft 8in tall (1.75m) and a solid weight of 11st 11lb (75kg). The number 4 jersey is what he currently dons on match days.
The currency of football, the proverbial 'market value', puts a price tag on our man at approximately £425k, a figure whispered by the analysts over at Transfermarkt. But, buyer beware, for he's tied securely to Como until the 30th June 2027, a full six years hence. Possibly long enough to grow moss.
Mr Kone's career weaves a colourful tapestry of football's glory and madness. Starting in 2019, as a fresh-faced lad in the calcio-driven heart of Italy, he first took to the pitch with Cosenza. A stable, yet unadventurous, start to his career with six first-team appearances. The following season of 2020-21 saw Kone bloom somewhat, featuring in 26 matches with one respectable goal to his name.
In 2021-22, he swapped kits for a brief spell at Torino, featuring but once for the first team. After his fleeting Torino affair, Kone was then seen sporting Crotone colours, notching up a solid 16 appearances and a single goal.
Our midfield journeyman found himself at Frosinone for the following 2022-23 season, putting on the number four jersey nineteen times and netting two goals. Kone's journey then leads us to Como, where he has since remained. In his first season (2023-24), Kone made a respectable 14 first-team appearances, and four more in the subsequent 2024-25 season.
But as season 2024-25 drew to a close, Kone evidently had unfinished business at Frosinone, featuring nine times and knocking in a goal for his efforts. And with that, Ben Lhassine Kone's tale has us caught up, stirring our tea and waiting for the next chapter.
