Manu Koné is preparing to face Italy at the Stade de France, a venue he previously encountered with the French national team over two years ago. Since then, Koné has grown significantly and is now part of conversations about the top midfielders in world football. He made his debut with the French team on September 6, 2024, at the Parc des Princes, but the match ended in a 3-1 loss to Italy. Koné's career has included a period in Ligue 2 with Toulouse, a move to Germany, and a settlement in Rome with AS Roma, where he has developed a new dimension to his play. While players such as Pedri, Vitinha, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Rodri, Joshua Kimmich, Enzo Fernández, Fabián Ruiz, Dominik Szoboszlai, João Neves, and Warren Zaïre-Emery are often mentioned in elite midfielder discussions, Koné's name is increasingly being brought up. Koné plays for Roma, a club that is not as frequently scrutinized as the European powerhouses where many of his peers are based. Despite this, he has become a regular for Roma and earned the nickname "Wolf of Rome" from Roman fans. His ability to adapt to different roles, such as a sentinel or a relay in a double pivot, has contributed to his growing reputation. Koné has improved his game management, as noted by former Roma coach Claudio Ranieri, who identified him as a strong player and encouraged him to refine his decision-making. Koné stated that since moving to Italy, he has become more focused and improved his effort management. During a match against Inter on September 19, Koné scored his first double of his career in 30 minutes, showcasing his versatility. His performances have drawn attention from major clubs, including Chelsea and Manchester United, though transfer talks have not materialized. Roma's coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, has been firm about retaining Koné. At 25, Koné is entering what is considered the prime of a footballer's career. He now needs to continue demonstrating that he can be among the best midfielders. On Friday, he will face Italy with several Roma teammates on the opposing side, a contrast to his debut two years ago.