LaLiga midweek fixture: Star African football player to watch, Geoffrey Kondogbia
Esteemed football lovers can look forward to seeing one of Africa’s top footballers, Central African Republic midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia, in crucial LaLiga action in the midweek of 22-23 December 2020.
Real Sociedad host Atletico Madrid at the Reale Arena in San Sebastian on Tuesday 22 December.
Geoffrey Kondogbia, has already established himself in the heart of Atletico’s midfield, having been brought to the club as a direct replacement for fellow African Thomas Partey. The Ghanaian was a beloved figure at the Rojiblancos but was sold to Arsenal in a big-money deal earlier this season.
This saw the 27-year-old Kondogbia with big boots to fill after being parachuted in from Valencia in early November, but the CAR international has already impressed with his energy, mobility and aggression in the ‘engine room’ – he is very much the kind of combative player Atletico manager Diego Simeone builds his teams around.
“I’ll try to work hard and help the team. Now it’s time to get to know my teammates and understand what they and the coach want from me. I’ll slowly adapt to the team,” said Kondogbia.
“They’ve welcomed me really well. I already knew Yannick [Carrasco], and Thomas [Lemar] a little bit, who played for AS Monaco. I’ve found a fantastic group of players and I think that will help me to adapt quickly.”
The French-born player has enjoyed a slow but steady rise to a prominent European powerhouse like Atletico, having started out in the reserves of Lens in Ligue 1, before progressing to Sevilla, Monaco, Internazionale and Valencia, where he was initially on loan in 2017 before joining permanently a year later.
Kondogbia’s three years with Los Che clearly left an impression, as he penned the following emotional farewell on Instagram last month: “Dear fans, with great gratitude I announce my departure from Valencia CF today after three wonderful years defending this shirt, it is time to face a new challenge.
“Three years in which we have experienced so many wonderful things, in a country where it is so difficult to win trophies. I am proud to have been a part of such a success for this historic club that they deserve to be at the top. But above all, I owe a lot to you, the fans. I can never thank you enough for what you have helped me to grow. I have rediscovered the beauty of football here in Valencia, largely thanks to you.”
With a new home and a new team, you can bet Kondogbia will grow from strength to strength in the red and white of Atletico, starting with this clash against the Txuri-urdinak.
