Opinion: Time to go, Ndombele
Our record signing Tanguy Ndombele although exceptionally talented, divides mixed opinions amongst supporters. Some believe he should be one of the first names on the team sheet while others believe he is not fit never mind good enough to help Spurs reclaim a place amongst the top four. Since watching Spurs for the first time […]
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Our record signing Tanguy Ndombele although exceptionally talented, divides mixed opinions amongst supporters.
Some believe he should be one of the first names on the team sheet while others believe he is not fit never mind good enough to help Spurs reclaim a place amongst the top four.
Since watching Spurs for the first time in the FA Cup Final Replay against Manchester City in 1981, I’ve seen a great number of exceptional players who have worn with pride our famous shirt.
However, Ndombele’s lack of effort against Burnley which was brutally highlighted by Jamie Carragher last season had me convinced that he wouldn’t be a success at our club (Sky Sports).
Glenn Hoddle is unquestionably the greatest midfielder that our club has produced having joined Spurs at the age of 12. So who better to ask about Ndombele as I did on his Podcast which is called “The Glenn Hoddle Footy Show”. (Episode 34)
The Spurs legend who scored 110 goals in 490 appearances for the club, agreed with my assessment that not just Ndombele but also Lo Celso were both a downgrade on midfield maestro Christian Eriksen.
Eriksen in 305 games for the club had scored an impressive total of 69 goals with 89 assists in all competitions for Spurs (transfermarkt).
Keeping Ndombele as a squad player is where I disagree with the man once known as “The King of White Hart Lane”.
What money we could regain from selling Ndombele along with a number of other players such as Dier, Winks, Sanchez and Docherty should be used to reinvest in the squad.
Our supporters previously marvelled at the skills of Mousa Dembele who for the price of just £15m played a crucial role in dictating our midfield alongside Eriksen.
We struggle with creativity or goals in the centre of midfield. The combined cost of close to £100m to sign Ndombele and Lo Celso has produced an appalling 6 goals and 7 assists in 95 games between the two in the Premier League over nearly two seasons.
For our centre forward Harry Kane to be outshining both midfielders with creating 13 assists alone in the Premier League clearly shows that the lack of creativity from both is not good enough for what is expected from creative midfielders.
Great midfielders are not only consistent during a season but also relish the opportunity to hurt the opposition with a game-changing pass or a match-winning goal that changes the outcome of a game.
It is highly unlikely that Spurs would be able to get anywhere near the amount that was invested in Ndombele or Lo Celso which shows that both players haven’t enhanced their worth as players since joining Spurs.
Whether Jose Mourinho was the right fit for Spurs as manager, he cannot be accused of not working hard to get the best out of Ndombele.
Mourinho acknowledged that Ndombele frustrated him as he believed that the Frenchman was second to nobody in Europe as far as ability is concerned (Football.London).
The fitness levels during his first season were unacceptable and although there has been a marked improvement this season in his conditioning, the constant theatrical reactions as if he had been shot when tackled, clearly shows that Ndombele does not have the right attitude or application to flourish at Spurs.
Perhaps our former midfielder and interim Manager Ryan Mason has seen a lack of work ethic and creativity from Ndombele which is why he did not figure in the League Cup Final or in our recent game against Sheffield United.
Watching the “We are Tottenham” video brings a lot of emotion to me when I see replayed some of the iconic moments in our club’s history.
The names of Greaves, Mackay, Hoddle, King, Bale and my personal favourite Paul Gascoigne will not be joined by Ndombele anytime soon.
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