Blackpool striker Kouassi dreaming of BSM Trophy glory after downing Liverpool
Kylian Kouassi is dreaming of a date under the Wembley arch ahead of Blackpool 's Bristol Street Motors Trophy quarter-final showdown with Bolton Wanderers.
Kouassi, 20, is among the leading scorers in the competition after plundering a remarkable hat-trick past Liverpool Under-21s back in October but has been sidelined in recent months due to injury.
The Sutton United academy graduate is back in the fold, though, and hoping to play a part against Blackpool's League One rivals Bolton on Tuesday night. And the fact that a life-changing appearance at Wembley is now potentially just two games away isn't lost on Kouassi, who was playing in the Southern Premier League Division just 18 months ago.
Speaking ahead of the match, the striker tells Mirror Football : "Every player wants to go to Wembley; I've never had a chance to go to Wembley and play, so the trophy is a good opportunity to go and do that.
"It's a game that we want to go and win. The gaffer has said that the main aim this year is promotion and we want to get back to the Championship - but playing at Wembley is a once in a lifetime experience."
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Snapped up from Sutton United in the summer as one for the future, Kouassi admits he has been taken aback by how much football he had played prior to a hamstring injury. His schooling in non-league football, courtesy of loan spells before his breakthrough campaign in south London, would make a Wembley appearance even sweeter.
He adds: "It would be sweet, especially given the path I've gone through to get there. There's still plenty of things for me to work on but it would be a nice thing to add to the CV.
Kouassi scored a hat-trick against Liverpool under-21s earlier in the competition (Alex Dodd/CameraSport)"I've learned a lot of things coming up from the National League. You always have to try and keep a level head - it's important to never think you're above anyone. For me, it's about keeping my head down, working for the team and trying to improve. That spell in non-league helped make me into who I am today."
Kouassi has five goals to his name in 13 appearances so far this term but is wrestling with seasoned operators like Jordan Rhodes, Jake Beesley and Shayne Lavery for a starting spot at Bloomfield Road.
The EFL Trophy has long been a breeding ground for club's to blood their promising young talent and Kouassi has made the most of his opportunity to shine in the competition - but he's taking nothing for granted after returning to full fitness.
"I'm always hungry and determined to get more goals. It's not easy to keep your position here - we've got a lot of competition up top with a lot of quality strikers.
Kouassi is back in the fold after a hamstring injury (Alex Dodd/CameraSport)"I've always been confident in myself and it was just a matter of time before I could showcase my abilities to people on a bigger level. Down in non-league it was much different to the type of level I am now. I knew when I came there that I had to up my game in League One."
Blackpool have won the competition twice previously and know that a third triumph this year would put them level with the tournament's most successful ever team, Bristol City.
It was the club's rich history which ultimately enticed Kouassi into swapping life in the capital for a spell down on the Lancashire coast. Even though the step up in quality has been telling, Kouassi has relished every minute of it.
He concludes: "It's not been difficult to be fair. The staff, the lads and everyone at Blackpool have made it really easy to fit in and I've really enjoyed it.
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"It's a historic club. The aim is to go back up and it's a privilege to come here and take the next step in my career. I'll keep working and show the world [what I can do]."
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