Joel Ndala
Personal information
Full name Joel Tshisanga Ndala
Date of birth (2006-05-31) 31 May 2006
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.76 m)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Manchester City
Youth career
0000–2017 Port Vale
2017– Manchester City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023– Manchester City 0 (0)
International career‡
2021 England U16 1 (1)
2023 England U17 4 (3)
2022– England U18 8 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:15, 20 May 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 04:01, 23 November 2023 (UTC)

Joel Tshisanga Ndala (born 31 May 2006) is an English footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester City.[1]

Early life

Ndala was born in Manchester and grew up in France before returning to England to live in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent at seven years old. He attended school at St Nathaniel's Academy in Stoke. He then quickly moved to Port Vale Academy. He left Burslem when he signed for Manchester City at the age of 10.[2]

Club career

Ndala played in the youth ranks at Port Vale, until he joined Manchester City in 2017, at the age of ten years-old.[3] Ndala signed a professional contract with Manchester City in July 2022.[4] He was named by English newspaper The Guardian as one of the best first year scholars in the Premier League in September 2022. [5] He progressed through the Citizens' youth ranks, impressing in the FA Youth Cup during the 2022-23 season.[6][7] He was included in the Manchester City squad that travelled to Saudi Arabia to play in the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup.[8]

International career

In August 2021 Ndala scored for the England under-16 team in a game against Scotland.[9] He made his debut for the England U-18 side as a sixteen year-old in September 2022.[5] He scored his first goal for England U-18s against Croatia U-18s in March 2023.[10][11]

Ndala was selected to represent England at the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup and scored the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Iran at Jakarta International Stadium in November 2023.[12] Their next group game saw him score a consolation during a defeat against Brazil.[13] His third and last goal of the tournament came in their round of sixteen elimination against Uzbekistan.[14]

Style of play

After his performances at the U17 World Cup in 2023, Ndala was identified by ESPN as one of the stars of the tournament with “phenomenal change of pace and highly developed off-the-ball movement”. Comparisons were drawn in style with Manchester City midfielder Jeremy Doku.[15]

Personal life

Born in Manchester, England, Ndala has dual nationality with DR Congo.[5][16]

References

  1. ↑ "J.Ndala". Soccerway. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  2. ↑ Aarons, Ed (26 November 2023). "England's 'bright spark' Joel Ndala primed to follow in Foden's footsteps". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  3. ↑ Baggely, Michael (25 September 2018). "The Port Vale academy players signed by Manchester City, Wolves and Stoke City". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  4. ↑ Ornstein, David (22 November 2023). "Manchester City starlet in demand, Broja boot deal and Ratcliffe timeframe – Ask Ornstein". The Athletic. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 Jackson, Jamie (September 27, 2022). "Next Generation 2022: 20 of the best talents at Premier League clubs". The Guardian. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  6. ↑ Wood, Liam (8 February 2023). "Joel Ndala showcases Man City promise in dazzling 17-second burst during FA Youth Cup game". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  7. ↑ Baggely, Michael (17 January 2023). "Former Port Vale winger shines for Man City in FA Youth Cup". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  8. ↑ Bray, Joe (18 December 2023). "Six Man City youngsters travel with Club World Cup squad ahead of Urawa Red Diamonds clash". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  9. ↑ McPartlin, Patrick (20 August 2021). "England U16 3-2 Scotland U16". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  10. ↑ "England U18 2-1 Croatia U18". Soccerway. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  11. ↑ Baggely, Michael (29 March 2023). "Why rise of England and Man City prospect is good news for Port Vale". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  12. ↑ "FIFA U-17: NDALA SEND ENGLAND THROUGH TO KNOCKOUT STAGE". Africatopsports. 14 November 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  13. ↑ "England 1-2 Brazil". ESPN. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  14. ↑ "England 1-2 Uzbekistan". BBC Sport. 22 November 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  15. ↑ Karlsen, Tor-Kristian (23 November 2023). "Which players have impressed at the U-17 World Cup?". ESPN. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  16. ↑ "Joel Ndala, the agile destroyer of the opponent's defense". Kompas.id (in Indonesian). 15 November 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.


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