Real Madrid: Tanguy Ndombele is on Zinedine Zidane’s wish-list
By Hasan Karim
With little remaining of the season and the summer transfer window now looming – Real Madrid are reportedly looking to invest heavily in the summer. With numerous big stars being linked, there is one in particular Zinedine Zidane reportedly desires: Tanguy Ndombele.
Olympic Lyon midfielder, Tanguy Ndombele has really emerged on the European stage this season. The highly coveted French international has caught the eyes of the European elite clubs across the continent. According to reports in Spain, Zinedine Zidane is also eager to add Ndombele to the squad.
The French international burst onto the European stage with a Man of The Match display against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League as his side battled a 2-2 draw. He gave a similarly strong performance in the other fixture against the Premier League champions as the shocked Guardiola’s side with a victory over the Manchester side.
Since arriving in Lyon, he has become a mainstay in midfield. With 26 starts in Ligue 1 this season, he has registered 6 assists so far, that is more than any Madrid midfielder currently with Modric on 4 and Kroos on 3 respectively. The Frenchman is also more than capable with the ball at his feet, completing 1.8 dribbles per 90 this season in all competitions, better than Luka Modric (1.6 P/90) and Toni Kroos (0.6 P/90).
Whilst his key passes per 90 may not be as high as Modric’s 1.7 or Kroos’ 2.8, he doesn’t fare too far behind with 1.1 contributed per 90. He also has fairly strong distribution ability – averaging 52 passes per 90 at 89%, compared with Modric who plays 58 passes per 90 at 88%, however, is someway behind the mammoth 83 passes per 90 at 93.5% that Toni Kroos achieves, although, again, his numbers are within the region of both who are considered amongst the best in the world.
Where Ndombele really thrives is in his versatility in midfield. The French star is not shy of tracking back and making a tackle as he is completing 2 tackles and 0.9 interceptions per 90 minutes, stronger than the tackle number of Modric (1.5 tackles) and equal to that of Kroos. His willing work-rate both offensively and defensively is what is standing him apart from other midfielders in Europe. With the third most key-passes in the Lyon team last season and being second only to Memphis Depay for assists in the last two seasons, he is clearly a multi-versed player.
His box-to-box style means that he is more than capable to deputise for any one of the Madrid midfielders without disrupting the progress of Ceballos, Valverde and Llorente. His strong intent to attack with the ball at his feet means he can easily join the attack but his matured match intelligence also allows for him to adopt a defensive nous when needed.
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With age catching up with Luka Modric and Toni Kroos slowly approaching the dreaded 30, Madrid must look to the future. Ndombele is the future and capable being a stalwart in the Madrid midfield for years to come. With European clubs circling, Madrid must act on the reported wishes of Zidane if they wish to land the Frenchman.