Why Fulham should go all out to sign Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui
According to a report from Calciomercato, Fulham, Cardiff City and Newcastle United are all keen on Slavia Prague defender Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui.
Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui, 28, helped Slavia to the title in his debut campaign in Prague and helped Cameroon lift the Africa Cup of Nations in 2017. He has been stellar this season as well, helping Slavia sit four points clear at the top of the Czech first division table and reaching the last 32 of the Europa League.
The Cameroonian defender’s displays have caught the attention of the Premier League trio. The report claims Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui has a release clause in his contract worth £4.5million, a fee that must surely tempt Fulham to ramp up their efforts and beat the likes of Cardiff and Newcastle in landing the defender before Thursday’s transfer deadline.
Fulham have dealt a big blow after centre-back Alfie Mawson was ruled out until April at least after undergoing surgery for a knee injury. Mawson arrived at Craven Cottage from Swansea City in the summer but has failed to live up to the expectations and will not be back to the fold until the final month of the Premier League campaign.
The Cottagers have already been in shambles defensively and Mawson’s injury will certainly cause a lot of panic in Claudio Ranieri’s camp. The Englishman’s injury leaves Ranieri with the likes Denis Odoi, Calum Chambers, Tim Ream and Maxime Le Marchand as options in central defence.
None of the aforementioned defenders has performed constantly this season and that should prompt Ranieri to make a move for Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui.
Renowned for his physicality and tough-tackling traits, Ngadeu-Ngadjui is a central defender by trade but he is also comfortable operating as a defensive midfielder. The Cameroon international reads the game very well, uses the ball efficiently and has the maturity to be a frontline defender for a Premier League club.
Not to forget, the 28-year-old’s vast European experience and leadership skills could also come handy if Fulham manage to land him. Furthermore, he boasts of impressive agility and a decent turn of pace despite being so tall.
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There is no question that Ngadeu-Ngadjui has the potential to be an inspired signing for Ranieri’s Cottagers. And with Fulham involved in a relegation battle, the Cameroonian could perhaps make a huge difference.