Since joining Olympique Lyonnais on a season-long loan on the 31st August 2017, Tanguy Ndombele has turned into one of the most sought after central midfielders in world football.

The 21-year-old has enjoyed a meteoric rise to stardom, which has captured the attention of Europe’s elite teams. With rumours linking Ndombele with a move to Manchester City and Spurs amongst others, it may not be long before the Frenchman is showcasing his talents on the Premier League stage.

At youth level, he began playing for FC Épinay Sous Sénart in 2002 before moving onto FC d’Épinay Athletico in 2005 where he spent four years. He then moved to E.S.A. Linas-Montlhéry where he spent a couple of years before making the most significant move of his young career joining Guingamp in 2011.

The move to Guingamp was pivotal for his development, at a key stage of his career aged 14 until the age of 17 when he moved to Amiens. From day 1 at Amiens, Ndombele spent time with the B team before being promoted to the first team squad for the 2016/17 season. Playing only one season in Ligue 2 for Amiens, the youngster was a pivotal part of the team that got promoted to the top flight for the first time in the clubs 116-year history.

After securing promotion to Ligue 1 Tanguy Ndombele moved to Lyon on an initial one-year loan. He was tremendous during his first season at Olympique Lyonnais and was duly signed permanently at the start of 2017/18 season. His competitive debut for Lyon came in the 2-0 away defeat at PSG on 17th September 2017.

Making 32 league appearances for Lyon last season the box-to-box midfielder created a staggering 44 chances throughout the campaign a tally only bettered at the club by Nabil Fekir and Memphis Depay. Just as impressive was his defensive stats, only two players at OL made more tackles than the Frenchman last season.

Battling the tag of a one season wonder the midfielder has started where he left off last season. In 13 league games so far, this season Ndombele has provided 4 assists showing his willingness to get forward and help his side offensively and defensively at an elite level.

The 21-year old’s form since joining Lyon was finally recognised on the world stage as he made his senior international debut for France by coming on as a substitute for Paul Pogba in the 67th minute of a 2-2 draw against Iceland in Guingamp.

Linked with the very best clubs in the world what is the lure of Ndombele you ask? Well, the Frenchman is incredibly well rounded like very few, if any currently in world football. Offensively and defensively he is a man amongst boys when he steps foot on a football pitch.

His technical and physical ability allows him to be played in multiple positions. As a central midfielder, wide midfielder or playing as the second striker, the sheer pace and power he possesses makes him a nightmare to try defend against. His biggest influence on the game will always be offensively from central midfield, dribbling at pace with a decisiveness and aggressiveness whilst at the same time not being scared to try and pick a pass.

Just as importantly defensively, Ndombele has the N’Golo Kanté esc ability to read the game and make tackle after tackle. Possessing such a physically imposing frame it not only makes him extremely difficult to tackle offensively but hugely frustrating to beat defensively.

With some of football’s elite waiting in the wings for the 21-year-old, we may well just be seeing the start of Tanguy Ndombele’s rise to stardom as one of the most well-rounded players in world football.