INTERVIEW. TFC: his explosion, his position, his objectives, his models… the nugget Nathan Ngoumou tells us everything

This is one of the revelations of the season: his accelerations caused more than a turn of the kidneys for many defenders… Finalist of the Gambardella-2019, Nathan Ngoumou Minpole – “of my full name; for the apostrophe between the n and the g, he announces with laughing eyes, it’s up to you, even I hesitate “- already weighs 10 goals in the championship course of the TFC, his TéFéCé 2021-2022. Cameroonian origins on the father’s side and Gabonese for his mother, he was called up and capped (two entries into play) by the Espoirs coach Sylvain Ripoll. Did you say pivotal year?
The person concerned answers in detail.

You have just been elected “nugget of the month” of L2 – succeeding Anthony Rouault in January. It works for you!
Very happy, of course. I had already been nominated twice. With Anthony we played less last year; there, we manage to settle in the team and perform on the ground, therefore.

You retweeted with two smileys…
Of course: I thanked the Internet users who voted for me. The support of the public really brings us a lot this season, we see it at home with the scores we achieve. This allows us to continue on this momentum and to be able to aspire to the climb – our goal.

Including outside?
Absolutely. In Grenoble, our supporters were there; they helped us a lot.

“I’m filling out my stats sheet”

The month of February, we come back to it: you scored 3 goals in 4 games. And regain the form you had before being hit in the back in December.
It’s true that my injury slowed me down, it took me a while to come back. Afterwards, the past month has been very full: I have been able to fill in my statistics sheet. It makes me feel good, I think I’m on the right track.

Do you think you have progressed compared to 2020-2021?
Yes, I have passed a course. A level even, I would say. Frankly, there is no secret: it’s all about hard work. Last season I found that I had some shortcomings that I have since managed to erase. I put more intensity in my game. Although, of course, there are still things to correct.

As ?
The last gesture. I have to be more decisive. More efficient. When I see Branco (van den Boomen), it is the example to follow. His stats make me want to.

From the inside, on the ground by his side, he is really impressive?…
Each set piece is transformed into a goal action, it’s not more complicated! Or a trailing ball. As a result, we are always hyper-concentrated. Last Monday, I don’t know if you see my reaction to his free kick (he takes his head in both hands while turning towards VdB)…

Well, your total is 7 goals and 3 assists: for a first regular season in Ligue 2, that’s not bad anyway!
(small smile) I set myself a bar. I am an attacking player, a winger, and today strikers are only judged by their numbers.

Tef has a funny offensive arsenal…
We have very distinct profiles, in addition… For the anecdote, I was in a video session with the assistant coach (Debève) and he told me that when I overflow, all you have to do is look up to find lots of solutions in the surface. It proves our strike force.

Marking remains more enjoyable than giving, right?
Honestly, I like both. Making a partner happy is just as rewarding – for me anyway. Come on, 50/50.

Four realizations of the right foot, two of the left, one of the head: in addition, you display the complete panoply…
My weak foot and aerial game, I have to work on them.

Against Dijon you opened the scoring with a header, in Grenoble you broke on the goal line. A real surface fox too!
During the week, at the sessions, I try to feel the actions as much as possible; history on the weekend to arise at the appropriate time.

“The coach believes in me”

Philippe Montanier told us that you had become, that he considered you a key player in the team. What are your relationships with?
His speech has not changed, it has remained the same: the coach believes in me. He speaks to me a lot, all the staff to tell the truth. I try to return this trust that is granted to me.

The date of January 11, 2021…
(her face lights up) My first pro goal, in Caen (2-2, 78th; J19).

What a long way to go, we insist! Did you expect to have such a trajectory in a year?
To expect it, it would be pretentious to affirm it… but I have always been sure of my qualities. I know how far I can go.

By the way, the Usain Bolt that you are running the 100m in how much?
(laughs) I don’t know at all, I’ve never raced it – well, on a track. Hey, maybe I should test myself one day, in real conditions, in a race…

Right winger, are you definitely set?
I was trained and evolved N°10 until U18. It was Denis Zanko who put me on one side with regard to my speed. I stayed there ; I can also play on the left.

As a child of the club, what would it mean to join Ligue 1 with this purple jersey?
Many. Verry much. Especially since I also experienced the descent. If we go up, in addition it will be with the way. Mostly. Celebrating with the fans would be amazing. Huge, yes.

“The descent was not easy to live with, I am a TFC supporter first and foremost”

You arrived at the club at the age of 5…
(enthusiastic) I found my smile again. Above all, I am a supporter of the TFC: relegation in 2020 was very hard to live with. Being able to go up…

We think about it in the locker room…
Of course, of course. Now we are focused game after game, step by step.

A championship title would be the icing on the cake, we imagine.
Ah yes ! Having a track record as a young player is always quite exceptional, especially, I repeat, with his training club. Beautiful, that would be beautiful; There is no other word.

You have also opened your selections counter with the Espoirs. Another goal?
A pride to represent the country with some who compete squarely in the Champions League. The ultimate goal.

What are your role models?
Ronaldo, Cristiano: this is my reference. But today the striker who impresses me the most is Kylian Mbappé. All he does is go 2,000 an hour. Among other things its finish. That’s the most complicated thing: to show lucidity when you are launched in the middle of a race.