N’Diaye: They think I’m fat? They’ll change their minds when they see me play
Real Betis midfielder, Alfred N’Diaye caught many Beticos off guard when he stepped onto the pitch for the first time against Espanyol last weekend, as the French-Senegalese loanee looked more stouter than the rest of his teammates, but after 90 minutes, their minds were completely changed and N’Diaye is looked upon as the one to change the club’s fortunes.
In a recent interview with the club’s website, N’Diaye laughed off the initial first impressions about his weight, stating that he always looks like that and it doesn’t stop him from running 13km every match.
“I knew the club I was coming to and that it was a great club with an enormous and very passionate following. The match confirmed everything I had thought. It was the first match anyone would have dreamt of. We played a good game and we won after four months of not doing so.
“Every time I have arrived at a new club I have given my all since the first day. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been there for more time not. The main thing is to communication with my team mates and to train well right from the first day.
“Right from the start I have seen a team that is extremely motivated to stay in the first division, and when I say ‘team’ I mean everyone: players, technical staff and everyone at the club. I saw it at the first training session and it was proven to me in the match against Espanyol. I am convinced we are going to stay in the First Division.
“My weight? The same thing has happened in every club I have played at, but when they see me play they say that I’m good like this… I have always been like this and on average I run about 13 km in a match when I’m playing in the midfield.”
N’Diaye then spoke about his position in midfield, but thrived as a full-back last weekend.
“It’s been three years since I last played in this position. The boss told me to play my game, my match. I didn’t feel under pressure but I did feel proud and happy with the atmosphere.
“It isn’t exactly the same position but the way I play is the same. I try to regain possession of as many balls as possible and pass them on cleanly, but I also have the possibility of joining them up front.
“I think so a solid defense is key. In the first round Betis conceded too many goals. In football if you don’t concede you don’t lose, of course. The basis is to have a solid defence and look for good players up front as we have seen with Ruben that’s the formula.
“Each day is different, but in every match you have to give it your all and be aggressive. I am not going to shrink down in a wall. We have two legs to arms and if you get hit it doesn’t matter.”
N’Diaye went on to add that he doesn’t know what his future holds, but is determined to keep Betis in the Primera.
“I don’t know [what the future holds]. Now is not the time to think about that. I had the opportunity to come to one of the most popular clubs in the Spanish league but I don’t know if I will stay or go.
“Of course it’s possible [to stay in the Primera]. We need eight points. We have to win the home matches and get points away as well but we are just eight points away not 30.”
Real Betis midfielder, Alfred N’Diaye caught many Beticos off guard when he stepped onto the pitch for the first time against Espanyol last weekend, as the French-Senegalese loanee looked more stouter than the rest of his teammates, but after 90 minutes, their minds were completely changed and N’Diaye is looked upon as the one to change the club’s fortunes.
In a recent interview with the club’s website, N’Diaye laughed off the initial first impressions about his weight, stating that he always looks like that and it doesn’t stop him from running 13km every match.
“I knew the club I was coming to and that it was a great club with an enormous and very passionate following. The match confirmed everything I had thought. It was the first match anyone would have dreamt of. We played a good game and we won after four months of not doing so.
“Every time I have arrived at a new club I have given my all since the first day. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been there for more time not. The main thing is to communication with my team mates and to train well right from the first day.
“Right from the start I have seen a team that is extremely motivated to stay in the first division, and when I say ‘team’ I mean everyone: players, technical staff and everyone at the club. I saw it at the first training session and it was proven to me in the match against Espanyol. I am convinced we are going to stay in the First Division.
“My weight? The same thing has happened in every club I have played at, but when they see me play they say that I’m good like this… I have always been like this and on average I run about 13 km in a match when I’m playing in the midfield.”
N’Diaye then spoke about his position in midfield, but thrived as a full-back last weekend.
“It’s been three years since I last played in this position. The boss told me to play my game, my match. I didn’t feel under pressure but I did feel proud and happy with the atmosphere.
“It isn’t exactly the same position but the way I play is the same. I try to regain possession of as many balls as possible and pass them on cleanly, but I also have the possibility of joining them up front.
“I think so a solid defense is key. In the first round Betis conceded too many goals. In football if you don’t concede you don’t lose, of course. The basis is to have a solid defence and look for good players up front as we have seen with Ruben that’s the formula.
“Each day is different, but in every match you have to give it your all and be aggressive. I am not going to shrink down in a wall. We have two legs to arms and if you get hit it doesn’t matter.”
N’Diaye went on to add that he doesn’t know what his future holds, but is determined to keep Betis in the Primera.
“I don’t know [what the future holds]. Now is not the time to think about that. I had the opportunity to come to one of the most popular clubs in the Spanish league but I don’t know if I will stay or go.
“Of course it’s possible [to stay in the Primera]. We need eight points. We have to win the home matches and get points away as well but we are just eight points away not 30.”