FIFA World Cup: Why Evan Ndicka is a man to watch out for Ivory Coast

FIFA World Cup: Why Evan Ndicka is a man to watch out for Ivory Coast Even if Italy will not play at the FIFA World Cup, Serie A has a host of players who can star at the tournament that kicks off today. One player who isn’t getting as much attention as he should is Roma’s Evan Ndicka, who has been a pillar for the Giallorossi since 2023. The 26-year-old has been a regular for Roma in the last three seasons. He has featured 127 times in all competitions, starring under four different managers – including the legendary Jose Mourinho. Throughout, his reliability and consistency has been a standout. The left footed centre-back is a composed character who never seems ruffled. He boasts excellent ability on the ball, having also filled in at left-back during his time at Eintracht Frankfurt. Initially when Gian Piero Gasperini arrived in Rome, there were doubts over whether Ndicka can adapt to his ways. After all, many players struggle under the Italian due to his demanding man-to-man setup but the Ivorian stood up to the challenge. He played 42 times in all competitions, missing just one league game due to injury and that too came at the end of the campaign. This availability is another hallmark of his, as Ndicka has missed only four games for the Giallorossi.  Be it on the ball or off the ball, he has come leaps and bounds since his time in Germany. This has allowed him to play 27 games for the national team, with four of those coming in the AFCON, where he was a leading figure for Ivory Coast. At the 2024 edition of the AFCON, he was key in helping them clinch the title, playing every single minute. This makes him arguably the most trusted player for club and country. Gazzetta dello Sport have reported that English clubs are keeping an eye on him, with Roma keen to earn capital gains by the end of June due to FFP reasons. That is another reason why the World Cup will be a watershed moment for him. A good tournament will attract major suitors and it will define the rest of his career. Rest assured, Roma will bid farewell with a smile on their face. Kaustubh Pandey I GIFN