Besiktas manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has praised Wilfred Ndidi ahead of his side’s UEFA Conference League play-off first leg against Swiss club Lausanne-Sport.
Solskjaer knows Ndidi well from his time in charge of Manchester United. The Nigeria international played a key role in Leicester City’s 3-1 win over United in the FA Cup quarterfinals in March 2021, featuring for the full 90 minutes as Solskjaer’s side were knocked out.
The Norwegian has now welcomed the former Nath Boys midfielder to his squad in Istanbul. Ndidi recently joined Besiktas after eight years in England, where he was rated as one of the Premier League’s best defensive midfielders.
There had been some concern over his fitness after he picked up a knock on his debut last Sunday, but he has been named in the travelling squad to Switzerland. He also spoke to the media before Thursday’s game, a strong sign that he will be involved.
At the pre-match press conference, Solskjaer praised Ndidi’s professionalism and leadership.
“A couple of words about Wilfred – he has answered well for himself,” the Besiktas coach said.
“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.”