Player Watch - Tanguy Ndombele

[DiVaio]

You see I don’t get this, the best players play for their country, he’s got 6 caps. Anyway as I keep saying I’ll draw my conclusions from what I see on the pitch not other fans on a forum.

You just said 2 players who doesn't play for France are better than those 2 who are regularly called up for France and you still using that argument? weird

 

[Mungo63]

You just said 2 players who doesn't play for France are better than those 2 who are regularly called up for France and you still using that argument? weird

Help me out then, who would you drop from the french squad for Ndombele?

 

[DiVaio]

Help me out then, who would you drop from the french squad for Ndombele?

He's better footballer than Sissoko, Nzonzi, Rabiot and Tolisso. And he's in better form than Pogba.

 

[dondo]

He's better footballer than Sissoko, Nzonzi, Rabiot and Tolisso. And he's in better form than Pogba.

yeah but apart from them ?

 

[mil1lion]

I would rather Ndombele than Pogba personally but I'm not going to complain if he doesn't go away with France. Ginola didn't either when he was with us and still won player of the year.

 

[wrd]

I would rather Ndombele than Pogba personally but I'm not going to complain if he doesn't go away with France. Ginola didn't either when he was with us and still won player of the year.

I wouldn't entertain it mate, it's grasping at straws whilst desperately trying to keep up the façade that they hope the player does well when in reality we all know they're desperate to be proven right.

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

Haha is this debate still going on? It’s good management of an important player. We have other players that can come in a bd bring energy when legs are tiring on the opposition but very few who can unlock things when all the players on the opposition are fresh at the beginning of games. In fact I’d say Ndombele is better when players are closing him than when they are tired and sitting off.

Other than that pretty crap against Antwerp the other night wasn’t he ?

 

[Mungo63]

He's better footballer than Sissoko, Nzonzi, Rabiot and Tolisso. And he's in better form than Pogba.

I only know 2 of them but it’s important to remember that what you’ve stated is an opinion not a fact. Being in better form than Pogba applies to dozens of players in the EPL

 

[LeParisien]

I only know 2 of them but it’s important to remember that what you’ve stated is an opinion not a fact. Being in better form than Pogba applies to dozens of players in the EPL

Tolisso is a current World Cup winner and Champions League winner. He plays centre mid for Bayern. Really strong at 8.

In fact France have the best collection of centre backs and 8s of any team in the world. That means excellent players like Laporte and NDombele aren’t getting a look in. However NDombele played last year and will do again if he hits form. But we’re talking about the joint strongest position of the strongest team in the world- it’s not like starting for a second tier team like England.

I’m curious whether you liked Dembele? Not many goals or assists. He could last 90 mins but missed a lot of games. Similar minutes per season (well, apart from the last two years where he has far fewer).

 

[Mungo63]

Tolisso is a current World Cup winner and Champions League winner. He plays centre mid for Bayern. Really strong at 8.

In fact France have the best collection of centre backs and 8s of any team in the world. That means excellent players like Laporte and NDombele aren’t getting a look in. However NDombele played last year and will do again if he hits form. But we’re talking about the joint strongest position of the strongest team in the world- it’s not like starting for a second tier team like England.

I’m curious whether you liked Dembele? Not many goals or assists. He could last 90 mins but missed a lot of games. Similar minutes per season (well, apart from the last two years where he has far fewer).

Yes I did like Dembele very much, very strong in possession and recycled the ball well. Look, I don’t see this as a case of liking a player or not, I’m simply saying that Ndombele is our record signing but so far hasn’t shown enough to justify it. Some people seem quite upset that I hold that view which is fine by me.
To me Dembele played a similar role that PEH is at the moment, screening and protecting. I want to see more goals and assists from a player that plays further up the pitch than Sissoko and PEH. I could say the same about lo celso who for me is a far more effective footballer

 

[LeParisien]

Yes I did like Dembele very much, very strong in possession and recycled the ball well. Look, I don’t see this as a case of liking a player or not, I’m simply saying that Ndombele is our record signing but so far hasn’t shown enough to justify it. Some people seem quite upset that I hold that view which is fine by me.
To me Dembele played a similar role that PEH is at the moment, screening and protecting. I want to see more goals and assists from a player that plays further up the pitch than Sissoko and PEH. I could say the same about lo celso who for me is a far more effective footballer

Fair enough.

I would argue the problem is the expectation that his high fee created in fans rather than his performances. If “record signing” must mean consistently world class player then I can see why he must be disappointing. I’d say that a 23 year old with world class potential who is improving is good enough. He cost a chunk less than Nicolas Pepe so I don’t see it as being a disaster.

 

[Mungo63]

Fair enough.

I would argue the problem is the expectation that his high fee created in fans rather than his performances. If “record signing” must mean consistently world class player then I can see why he must be disappointing. I’d say that a 23 year old with world class potential who is improving is good enough. He cost a chunk less than Nicolas Pepe so I don’t see it as being a disaster.

If we’re at the stage where we’re comparing him to Pepe then you make my point well. I like the word potential but I’m not sure it should be applied to a 23 year old, I’m thinking Scarlett or Skipp

 

[LeParisien]

If we’re at the stage where we’re comparing him to Pepe then you make my point well. I like the word potential but I’m not sure it should be applied to a 23 year old, I’m thinking Scarlett or Skipp

Come on mate - that’s not what I’m doing at all. He doesn’t have a coke habit like Maradona. See, now I’ve compared him to Maradona so he must be good....

I think Ndombele will be a better player than either Skipp or Scarlett. Not because I know the future but because the road to the top is difficult and the world is littered with hot shot youngsters who never make it. Some fade into obscurity and others just become decent PL pros.

Ndombele isn’t consistently world class yet but he has certain world class elements and is a CL grade #8 (indisputably).

Let’s leave it there.

 

[Rosco1984]

I am both curious and struggling to understand why NDombele has fitness (stamina?) issues and am hoping some of you who are sports scientists or have played or coached the game at a higher/advanced level can shed insights into what are fair expectations of a professional footballer (or NDombele).

I have an expectation that a professional footballer should be able to complete a match and not be running on fumes after an hour. However, I fully understand my lens in which I view players is as a fan who has played the game at very low standards. Is this expectation - being able to consistently complete a match (or at least a significant portion) - unrealistic?

I understand so much can vary, such as the player's attributes (mental/physical), the position on the pitch, the tactics of the coach/team set-up. I certainly appreciate players are going to burn through their energy stockpile in a pressing strategy versus a defensive-first minded team and a midfielder is going to get more distance under his/her belt then a CB. But I keep thinking, these are professional footballers - they should be able to maintain a high level of energy for a significant part of the match. After all, they are professionally trained with nutritionists, physios, training programs, fitness coaches, the latest equipment, etc.

Looking at NDombele's general stats from his time in France, I see, if I'm calculating correctly, he generally played about 55 minutes (Lyon - 2018 - Ligue 1: 34 matches for a total of 1,890 minutes) per match. Hence, I'm thinking, despite what I read about him needing to get up to fitness, is that perhaps he is already at peak fitness level, and I should expect him to be running on fumes at the hour mark.

I want to more fully celebrate and support this technically gifted player but keep thinking he should be able to show the skills in more minutes per match, because he is a professional footballer. Do I need to reframe my thinking?

I would imagine its his natural body composition. There have been numerous great footballers who naturally carry more weight than others. Nature isn't always fair and some people have to work far far harder to be "fit" than others. I have always been naturally fit and a quick walk everyday is all I need to keep weight off but even in the same family my brother is just naturally way over weight he does hours of cardio and still cant get weight off. Tanguy has incredible talent but just like maybe a gazza or even rooney or luke shaw he possibly naturally carries more body fat than some people.

 

[dondo]

There's nothing more Spurs than an irrational dislike of a particular player.

It’s not just spurs fans. Every set of fans in the world have their favourite players and players they don’t rate for their club

 

[spursfan77]

His stamina/fitness/commitment are at the level required.

No they’re not. It’s a disgrace he can’t finish a 90 minute game.

 

[GLC10]

Today he was only at his level for 4 minutes when he saw that Lo Celso was going to enter. I think Mourinho has to leave it for 90 minutes, he can give more.

 

[wrd]

No they’re not. It’s a disgrace he can’t finish a 90 minute game.

What are you even on about, he was running about absolutely fine literally minutes before being taken off, at what point are you lot going to grasp that it's a tactical choice by Jose because he has a quality player in Lo Celso on the bench?

 

[DiVaio]

No they’re not. It’s a disgrace he can’t finish a 90 minute game.

He can.

 

[Spurs_Bear]

Today he was only at his level for 4 minutes when he saw that Lo Celso was going to enter. I think Mourinho has to leave it for 90 minutes, he can give more.

Yeah that was noted by the commentators as well. Sort of sprung into life when he saw Lo Celso get off the bench. He had a good first 10 minutes then anonymous until he went off.