Lyon manager Bruno Genesio is backing his midfielder Tanguy Ndombele to follow in the footsteps of Paul Pogba, adding he wouldn’t be surprised if Juventus eventually signed him.
The 22-year-old French international has been enjoying a standout campaign with the Ligue 1 outfit and in the process, has subsequently attracted the attention of many clubs across Europe.
How good has Ndombele been? Five things to know…
- Ndombele permanently joined Lyon from Amiens in 2018 having spent much of the 2017/18 season on loan at the Groupama Stadium.
- During his loan spell he registered one goal and created a further eight across 47 matches in all competitions.
- So far this season he has scored two goals – both coming in the Champions League – in 33 outings.
- Nominally a defensive midfielder, Ndombele is averaging 2.4 tackles and 0.7 interceptions won per 90 minutes in Ligue 1 this season.
- His performances at domestic level earned him a first cap with France in October 2018 against Iceland – he’s since collected three more.
A product of Guingamp’s academy, Ndombele would make his senior professional debut at Amiens, whilst there he’d go on trial at various clubs but wouldn’t earn a contract due to being considered “overweight” even if his talents were undisputed.
He eventually left for Lyon, initially on loan, having played a total of 39 matches for the Unicorns, and during the 2017/18 campaign, Ndombele would feature in no fewer than 47 matches under Genesio, registering one goal and eight assists.
So far this season he’s doubled his goal output, both coming in the Champions League during home and away games against Hoffenheim – it’s been in Europe’s premier club competition where Ndombele has been turning heads.
Genesio, who has a plethora of young talent at his disposal, feels Ndombele has the tools to go far and reluctantly compared him to Manchester United’s fulcrum Paul Pogba, who truly made his name at Italian giants Juventus, and where Genesio could see his protege ending up.
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“He’s strong physically and, above all, technically,” he told Tuttosport (via Football Italia).
“Tanguy, with his first touch, can get past three players and when he starts running, it’s difficult to stop him. He’s precise in the steps he takes. He dribbles well and he’s intelligent. I don’t like comparisons, but Ndombele can be a new Pogba.
“Tanguy can play anywhere through the middle. He’s also started scoring goals, but in the future I expect him to improve in that respect. He must become a midfielder who scores 8-10 League goals a season. Tanguy will become a midfielder worthy of a top club, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him at Juventus in the future.
“However, seeing as I’m his coach, I’d like to enjoy him at Lyon for a little longer.”
A big test awaits
Lyon, who finished second to Manchester City in this season’s Champions League group phase can look forward to a round-of-16 tie against five-time European Cup winners Barcelona.
The teams last met at this stage during the 2008/09 season in which Barca eventually triumphed 6-3 on aggregate – having drawn the first-leg 1-1 in France – en route to Pep Guardiola’s first European Cup triumph as manager.
Ndombele, though, is a doubt having missed Lyon’s 2-1 win over boyhood club Guingamp due to a niggling ankle problem. Genesio’s men also go into next week’s opening leg knowing they will be without lynchpin Nabil Fekir through suspension.
The post Lyon’s own manager admits Ndombele could be Juventus’ next Pogba appeared first on Squawka News.
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