Former Cape Town Spurs head coach Sean Connor has drawn a major comparison for young attacker Luke Baartman. The Irish manager believes the 20-year-old shares tactical traits with former Celtic and Manchester United striker Henrik Larsson.
Baartman recently made the move to Kaizer Chiefs, where he is carving out a role under Nasreddine Nabi. His early performances continue to capture attention across South African football.
Instincts in the Penalty Area
Connor handed Baartman his senior debut during their time together at Cape Town Spurs. Speaking to goal.com, the coach highlighted the movement and finishing that made the player stand out in youth football.
“It was his movement that really stood out. I remember going home one night thinking, ‘Who does this boy remind me of?’ Then it came to me – Henrik Larsson. I thought he moved around the box like Henrik Larsson.”
The manager observed his development through the DDC team before making the decision to promote him. Connor noted that Baartman showed a natural ability to finish and possessed the physical aggression needed for senior football.
Learning from the Best
To help the forward develop, Connor advised Baartman to study the Swedish international. He wanted the youngster to see how positioning and timing allow strikers to succeed against physical defenders.
Connor revealed that he brought Baartman into first-team training as soon as he took temporary charge:
“When I brought him into the first team, I even said to Luke, ‘Go and Google Henrik Larsson because I think you can play that type of striker.’”
He added that former coach Shaun Bartlett initially felt the forward was too young. However, Connor insisted the player was ready for the step up.
Proving His Quality on the Pitch
Baartman made his professional debut against Orlando Pirates despite initial skepticism inside the club. He later scored his first senior goal against Kaizer Chiefs, the team he eventually joined.
More recently, he earned a Man of the Match award in a 3-1 victory over Kruger United. His progression shows how rapid talent integration can reshape a squad’s attacking options.
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