‘He tends to get lost’ – Cristian Stellini makes claim about Tottenham midfielder
Cristian Stellini has claimed that while there is no doubting Tanguy Ndombele’s raw talent, the midfielder ‘tends to get lost’ unless the coaches are constantly ‘behind him’.
Multiple reports over the past week have indicated that Ndombele could be given a new lease of life at Tottenham under Ange Postecoglou.
In fact, L’Equipe (05/07/23 via Sport Witness) even claimed recently that Spurs had turned down an offer of €20m (£17.1m) from Napoli for the midfielder at the Australian’s behest.
The publication added that the new Spurs head coach is a ‘longtime admirer’ of the former Lyon man and he ‘intends to leave a space’ in his 4-3-3 formation for the player if he makes a good impression during pre-season.
This was also backed up by Dan Kilpatrick, who revealed on The Evening Standard on Friday that there is ‘fresh optimism’ at Hotspur Way that Ndombele can get a lifeline under Postecoglou.
Stellini sends warning about Tanguy Ndombele
However, Stellini believes that the Frenchman has to mature in terms of character if he is to make it at the highest level.
Tottenham’s former assistant coach told 1 Football Club (as relayed by Calcio Napoli 24) about Ndombele: “He’s a pure talent. On a technical level, and in terms of explosive strength, he’s a pure talent.
“Perhaps he needs to feel pampered too much. He will have to mature in terms of character.
“In fact, if you’re behind him, he shows that he can guarantee a certain type of response. Otherwise, left to himself, he tends to get lost.
“He’s 25 by now, he is no longer young and it’s necessary to take a certain path.”
Spurs Web Opinion
I do not think anyone can argue with Stellini’s assessment of Ndombele.
The only manager who got something out of the 26-year-old for a sustained period was Mourinho and he did it by constantly being after the midfielder like Stellini suggests coaches need to.
While Postecoglou does give his players the freedom to express themselves, he also demands a similar intensity to Conte and Pochettino, which is why I am sceptical if Ndombele can succeed at the club next season.
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