Ebbsfleet United manager Dennis Kutrieb expected Christian N’Guessan’s switch to Football League

Ebbsfleet boss Dennis Kutrieb wasn’t surprised to see midfielder Christian N’Guessan move into the Football League.

The 24-year-old completed a move to League 2 Sutton United last week after turning down a new deal at Stonebridge Road.

He’s the only player to reject a new deal among the National League South title-winning squad, a decision Kutrieb was expecting.

“It’s disappointing on one hand but on the other hand I’m looking forward for him,” said the Fleet boss.

“He wanted to progress, he wanted to progress last year but it didn’t work out for him so he decided to stay one more year with us. He was always open and honest, we always had honest chats, so for me it was not a surprise as he always wanted to get back to the League.

“A small part makes me proud as well to say that we produced a League player, it puts our club in the right light to say they can jump from us to a League club so that’s something positive.

“Of course, we wanted to keep him for the next season but I was never in a position to say I was really counting on him. He came from nowhere and we made him into such a good player that he can go to a League club and he should play an important role.

“They have a plan with him, I can’t imagine he would leave for just making the squad, I think they’ve told him that he’s a massive part of their plans as a holding midfielder. I was aware that there was just a small chance he would stay. He played two good years with us and is now a League player.”

With so many factors to take into account, Kutrieb didn’t want to say how far the talented N’Guessan could progress. But he’s expecting him to continue to develop his game.

“He's still a young player and he will improve year by year if you work with him,” added