'A highly professional footballer' – Besiktas coach Solskjaer waxes lyrical about Ndidi

Besiktas manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has lavished praise on Wilfred Ndidi ahead of his side's UEFA Conference League playoff first-leg tie against Swiss outfit Lausanne-Sport.

Solskjaer is no stranger to Ndidi’s qualities, having come up against the Nigeria international during his time in charge of Manchester United. 

The midfielder was instrumental in Leicester City's shock 3-1 win over the Red Devils in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup in March 2021, playing the full 90 minutes as Solskjaer's side crashed out of the competition.

The Norwegian has now welcomed the former Nath Boys product to his squad in Istanbul.

Concerns over his fitness following a knock on his debut last Sunday have been eased, with the 28-year-old named in Besiktas' travelling party to Switzerland and selected to address the media before Thursday's match, a strong indication he will be involved.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Solskjaer highlighted Ndidi's professionalism and leadership as he expressed delight at the signing.

"A couple of words about Wilfred, he has answered well for himself,” the Besiktas coach told reporters. 

"You see he's a highly professional footballer, great human being and he gives us something that we haven’t had.

"I am very pleased to have him here, very pleased to have a leader like him, and he will contribute a lot to the team in the coming months and years, so I am very happy that we signed him."

Ndidi completed a move to Besiktas earlier this month, bringing an end to his eight-year spell in England, where he was widely regarded as one of the Premier League's best defensive midfielders.
 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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