Longly rumoured as moving to England, Nice’s 23-year-old defensive midfielder Nampalys Mendy eventually ended up signing for the Premier League champions Leicester City.
By moving to the King Power Stadium, the young Frenchman will be teaming up with Claudio Ranieri once again; a manager under whom he spent a year at Monaco during the 2012-13.
Interviewed by L’Equipe on Wednesday, Mendy admitted a reunion with the Italian manager played a big part in his decision to move to the Premier League.
He said: “He knows me and knows how to make me progress. He already did that perfectly at Monaco. I’ve come here to find the same guy, true to himself and always happy. Even if he’s demanding and meticulous when it comes to actual work”.
Of course, the fact the club had just won the league and was going to play in the Champions League also had something to do with his club choice, as playing in the European competition ‘is every player’s dream’.
As for his ambitions with Leicester: “First, I need to prove that I can play and impose myself in the Premier League. Collectively, I want to help keep the club move forward and therefore win trophies.”
We’ve seen worst first words from new signings, and with a manager he already knows at his side, the young defensive midfielder has all the attributes to be a success in the Premier League.
