Wednesday morning’s edition of French newspaper L’Equipe ran a feature on Angers SCO midfield sensation Cheikh N’Doye, and as well as the reported interested from both Aston Villa and Derby County, they revealed that West Bromwich Albion has offered the French club €10 million for his services.
N’Doye has been a revelation for the newly promoted club this season, helping the minnows reach the top end of the Ligue 1 table, with Saturday’s 2-0 win over Caen taking them up to second place.
The 29-year-old midfielder’s rise has been as spectacular as the club he plays for. It was at Creteil in Ligue 2 where the Senegalese international blossomed, using his 192cm, 90kg frame to bully and boss games, scoring 21 goals in two seasons.
As Angers gained promotion to Ligue 1, boss Stephane Moulin – who yesterday extended his contract till 2019 – was looking for players that had impressed, and talents that could step up to the top flight challenge, N’Doye was one of them.
The increase in quality hasn’t halted his momentum. Scoring five times for SCO this term, but it’s his overall play that has attracted English attention.
Although he is a huge man-mountain, N’Doye is mobile too. In Angers counter-attacking style, he is the player that wins the ball, turns and pushing the team forward. Deadly in the air, he is a threat all over the pitch. A real force of nature.
Moulin had said, when Abdoul Camara left for Derby, that he would be the last departure this window. Goalkeeper Ludovic Butelle also left to Club Brugge. Although they have signed Denis Petric and Mohamed Yattara to replace that duo, N’Doye is a player that is hard to replicate.
Angers would obviously prefer to keep the midfielder until the rest of the season, but if the amount is to be believed, it’s an offer that is possible too good to turn down.
Success comes at a price, and Angers may find that out the hard way this month. However, their recruitment policy over the last 12 months has been excellent – you would back then to continue to impress and grow regardless of who leaves this season.
@Gibney_A