Bruno Genesio: 'Tanguy Ndombele can be the new Paul Pogba'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 16 February 2019

Bruno Genesio understands why a number of heavyweight clubs are interested in signing Tanguy Ndombele, who he believes has a similar skillset to Paul Pogba.

Lyon manager Bruno Genesio has compared in-demand midfielder Tanguy Ndombele to Manchester United ace Paul Pogba and says that he can understand why numerous clubs have been linked.

The 22-year-old is believed to be high on the list of transfer targets for Man United and Manchester City, as well as Italian champions Juventus.

Ndombele is regarded as one of the hottest properties in the European game after impressing for Lyon, earning him a call-up to the France senior side in October when he replaced World Cup winner Pogba for his debut.

Genesio believes that his prized asset has a similar skillset to Pogba, but he has challenged the holding midfielder to add more goals to his game on a season-by-season basis.

"I do not like comparisons, but indeed, Ndombele can be a new Pogba," he told Tuttosport. "He is strong physically and above all technically.

"Tanguy with the first touch manages to jump even three players and when he starts dribbling he is difficult to stop. He can play in any position in the midfield.

"He started scoring, but in the future, I expect him to develop at the goal level. He must become a midfielder with eight-to-10 goals per season.

"Tanguy Ndombele will become a leading midfielder. I would not be surprised to see Juventus, but I would like to enjoy him a little more here at Lyon."

Ndombele has been at Lyon since 2017, initially joining on a loan basis, and he has more than four years to run on his contract.