Jan 11th, 2019, 02:57 PM

Tanguy Ndombele, the next rising French Footballer

By Camille Davis
Image Crédit : CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP
Tanguay Ndombele has been shining in both Ligue 1 and Champions League this season. He is considered one of the finest young breakthrough talents in European football.

Young talent is the most exciting thing about football. I thoroughly enjoy watching a young footballer get fans to go crazy while simultaneously making their jaws drop.

As a result, I am always scouting to uncover the next wave of young talent. It makes me tick as I watch these players develop into influential and impactful footballers over the years, to then being able to watch these once young players potentially captain and/or carry their teams to tournament victories, for both club and country.

At the end of the 2018 Men's World Cup, the French, and even those who were not French, were screaming and buying into the iconic phrase:

Liberté, Égalité, Mbappé

Kylian Mbappé is, of course, a star most men, women, and children admire for many of his key attributes. The 19-year-old truly is hors norme, as the French say. In other words, he is incredible. And whether you like him or not, you have to respect the talent, skills, and seemingly humble and determined heart he has.

So surely, France is a country lucky enough to continue to have, and be in a position to foster and develop some of the best talent continuously surfacing in European football.

But it does not stop at the wonderboy, Kylian Mbappé. I am certain that the next name France will be screaming and singing about as well, will be Ndombele!

Tanguy Ndombele is a young talent in France who can solidify himself as Les Bleus’ central midfielder in due time. The current midfielder has been incredible at demonstrating his talent with Les Gones (Olympique Lyonnais), so much so that he has been poached by the likes of top European clubs such as Manchester City, Chelsea FC, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester United.

Ndombele's stellar performance against the dominating European club, Manchester City on September 19, made him the talk of football when Lyon defeated them at the Etihad two goals to one.

As a result, the Olympique Lyonnais midfielder received his first call up with the French world champions on October 4. On October 11 OL France noted "Ndombele made his debut with the France first team, coming on as a 65th-minute substitute and helping Les Blues come back from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with Iceland." 

Image Credit: flickr/PhilippeF

Goal reported what Bruno Genesio said about the young French talent. “He has to go one last step in finishing, the only thing he needs to become a great player.”

It was only in the 2016/2017 season that Ndombele was playing for the second division, and now he is being recognized as a new talent to eye. Scout of Guingamp, Philippe Lemaire said of Ndombele, which Goal published "He stinks of football. He is strong and precise. He feels the game. He is capable of creating lightning, to give rhythm to the game, to counterattack but also to press and regain possession.”

Clearly he has made an impression on top teams and important scouts.

BBC journalist Julien Laurens also remarked on the young French talent saying "He's been a revelation since joining Lyon. A summer ago, he got Amiens promoted to the first division. He is a very powerful box-to-box midfielder, very strong - so good on the ball."

Because he is only 21, he has so much room for improvement, yet he also has the time to improve. However, one standout quality Ndombele offers is versatility.

Ndombele is always looking forward when he has he ball at his feet. This is something many box-to-box midfielders don’t do, naturally. James Robson writes in The Evening Standard that Ndombele "is a different prospect as a box-to-box midfielder, who seizes any opportunity to charge forward, rather than sit and spray the ball around.”

So Foot quoted current French National team manager, Didier Deschamps, who said about Ndombele when he replaced Paul Pogba’s role in the Uruguay match on November 20, “he is the one who comes closest to Paul, even if he is young and he has less experience. He is someone who can be decisive by his passes and his forward direction.”

I have no doubt that Ndombele will soon solidify his place with the French National Team, while also continuing to impress the likes of managers at top European clubs. I am certain he will make his mark in football, but it is still important that he continues to think and improve his overall performance on the pitch.

His opportunities are endless.