Romain Alessandrini is a "great player" who will only get better as he adjusts to MLS, LA Galaxy coach Curt Onalfo has said.
Alessandrini, 28, who signed with LA from Marseille in January, has lived up to his designated status with three goals and two assists in the Galaxy's past three games.
His first-half goal on Friday night helped LA beat the Montreal Impact, and Onalfo said he was pleased with what he had seen so far.
"Alessandrini is exactly what we thought he would be," Onalfo told reporters, according to MLSsoccer.com. "He's a great player. He can beat you on the dribble, he can play-make, he can score, he can create goals."
The French forward has started all the Galaxy's five games but could not make an impact as they lost the opening two matches of the season.
But he then had two assists as the Galaxy grabbed a first win at Real Salt Lake, before scoring twice in a defeat at Vancouver on April 1.
Alessandrini acknowledged that acclimating to a new country has not been a simple change as he tries to replace the likes of Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan in the Galaxy lineup.
"It's been a little bit difficult because I changed my life," hesaid. "I changed the country, I changed the team. The three goals and two assists, it's nice for me. But I'm here to give assists, to score."
Despite Alessandrini's already impressive form, Onalfo believes he has plenty more to contribute as the Galaxy prepare for a trip to Orlando City on Saturday.
"The things that's difficult for people who are on the outside looking in is, he's only been with us five weeks," he said. "If he was with us from day one we'd probably have more points.
"It takes time for people to adjust. He's just going to keep getting better. He is quality, and his work ethic on top of it makes him an exciting player to watch and a great asset for a coach."
