Solskjaer Heaps Praise On Ndidi
Besiktas manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has lauded Wilfred Ndidi’s impact after the Nigerian midfielder featured in Thursday’s 1-1 UEFA Conference League play-off first leg against Lausanne-Sport.
Ndidi, who joined Besiktas this summer after eight years in England with Leicester City, played his part as the Turkish side were held in Switzerland.
The former Nath Boys player arrived in Istanbul with a reputation as one of the Premier League’s finest defensive midfielders.
Solskjaer, who faced Ndidi during his spell in charge of Manchester United, said the midfielder’s presence has already lifted the squad.
“A couple of words about Wilfred, he has answered well for himself,” the Norwegian told reporters after the game. “You can see he is a very professional footballer, a great human being, and he gives us something we haven’t had before.
“I am very pleased to have him here, very pleased to have a leader like him, and I believe he will contribute a lot to the team in the coming months and years.”
The 27-year-old had been a doubt for the tie after picking up a knock on his debut, but his inclusion in the starting line-up underlined his importance to Solskjaer’s plans as Besiktas look to finish the job in next week’s return leg in Istanbul.