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Player Watch - Tanguy Ndombele

RichieS

Well-Known Member
Dec 23, 2004
11,916
16,436
There are a couple of points we need to look at with him, which may have been mentioned but worth looking at again.
Clearly he is a massive talent, he was one of the hottest prospects in European football. I don’t think thus far people disagree with his ability..

However - he joined us from the french league, it’s far slower and less physical than the premier league, he only made 60 odd appearances for Lyon before moving to us, he is very young. He isn’t a seasoned pro with an abundance of top level experience, he is still very mouldable.
He joined a Poch team in decline, we were god awful before he joined - league wise - the whole team was clearly lost for confidence. He would have felt that, especially being a younger player.
The shock of joining the premier league and the pace involved probably took him by surprise as it does to so many coming over.
He may have had trouble settling, been homesick? Who knows. Then we had the league stopped due to Covid. It’s been an all round weird start to his career.
I want him to come good like all of us, let’s give him this season now he should have settled in and had a proper pre season. I will start judging him harshly is he is still here next season. Let’s see what Mourinho and the team can do with him yeh??
I don't think any of that can be disagreed with but we have to assume that if we do let him go then it's because José has decided that's the best thing to do. As fans, we may never know the reason(s) such a decision may be taken. On the plus side, he's been involved so little this season that we literally don't know what we'd be missing if we did let him go.
 

spids

Well-Known Member
Jul 19, 2015
6,647
27,841
If I was Levy I’d ask Mourinho to look me in the eye and tell me if he thinks Tanguy is going to be an integral player for us next season, no if’s, no but’s, no coconuts, just a yes or a no. If he says no, then I’d be open to moving him on and reinvesting in players that Mourinho feels will make us better.

Whilst I hope Ndombele is a massive success with us, and if he left he could be the next De Bruyne, Salah, Pogba on Mourinho’s charge sheet, I would be open to swapping him and Foyth (Inter love an Argie CB) for Skriniar and Brozinov. They get the star playmaker they want plus a young international replacement CB who fits Conte’s high line better, and we get upgrades at CB and DCM to suit Jose’s system.

Lloris
NewRB Skriniar Dier Davies
Brozinov Hjøbjerg
Moura LoCelso Son
Kane​

Subs from:
Gazza, Tanganga, Toby, Sanchez, Sessegnon, Winks, Sissoko, Bergwijn, Dele, Lamela

If we do move on any of Aurier, Winks/Sissoko, Lamela and replace with a young talent like Eze or Brooks etc. and get backup for Kane (e.g. Wilson) then I think we’d be in great shape.
 

worcestersauce

"I'm no optimist I'm just a prisoner of hope
Jan 23, 2006
26,891
45,039
I see your point, but I think it's entirely down to what Jose is telling Levy regarding his plans for NDombele. If the coach has decided the player isn't for him, then it defies logic to keep him. Typically a players value doesn't rise if he isn't being used. The only reason there is any talk of him being sold at a loss, is because he didn't figure that much for us. If Jose has told Levy that he doesn't think NDombele is the right fit for what he wants and is unlikely to see much playing time, then surely logic dictates that Levy would look to sell him.
why? If they’ve/he has decided there’s no future for him at the club, and he won’t put in the effort, I can absolutely see it.

Not saying they’ve decided that, but it’s not so far fetched
Indeed but my point was that I find it illogical that Jose would choose to do it.
If he's bringing in Højbjerg surely he himself would want to see how it works out rather than just dismiss it without testing it.
 

wiggo24

Well-Known Member
Jan 5, 2013
5,091
36,808
Just don't understand why Jose has made the effort to build our whole system to carry Aurier and limit his flaws, yet Ndombele needs to slot perfectly into the team to have a chance.

It's obvious that he needs to be more fit etc but there have been a few games where surely putting Tanguy at 10 and letting Sissoko/Winks/GLC do the brunt work would have been acceptable.

Haven't been impressed with his attitude but equally he hasn't really been given a chance, whereas several other players have had multiple.
 

Who’s our next manager?

Well-Known Member
Jul 6, 2020
1,231
1,806
Wonder which midfielders we’d be looking at if we made this trade?
we’d need another midfielder in the squad for sure, and we’ve been told the money would be reinvested (although not sure how that works in a straight swap).
I guess we’d have the money from the Kim deal available, but that’s only 15m.
Enough for Coutinho? Or more likely Eze?

Send Lamela back to Roma in exchange for Pellegrini, that would suit me.
 

C0YS

Just another member
Jul 9, 2007
12,780
13,817
Just don't understand why Jose has made the effort to build our whole system to carry Aurier and limit his flaws, yet Ndombele needs to slot perfectly into the team to have a chance.

It's obvious that he needs to be more fit etc but there have been a few games where surely putting Tanguy at 10 and letting Sissoko/Winks/GLC do the brunt work would have been acceptable.

Haven't been impressed with his attitude but equally he hasn't really been given a chance, whereas several other players have had multiple.
I think the difference is with Aurier he had no choice as of such, with Ndombele there are better options. But also, at n10 you need to do a lot of running, in fact statistically the players who do the most running are number 10s, who have to make both attacking runs as well as drop deep and crowd out the midfield when required to. I'm not convinced Ndombele really has what it takes to be a n10, which is not a slight at him I just don't think it's his position.
 

Japhet

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2010
19,232
57,386
There are a couple of points we need to look at with him, which may have been mentioned but worth looking at again.
Clearly he is a massive talent, he was one of the hottest prospects in European football. I don’t think thus far people disagree with his ability..

However - he joined us from the french league, it’s far slower and less physical than the premier league, he only made 60 odd appearances for Lyon before moving to us, he is very young. He isn’t a seasoned pro with an abundance of top level experience, he is still very mouldable.
He joined a Poch team in decline, we were god awful before he joined - league wise - the whole team was clearly lost for confidence. He would have felt that, especially being a younger player.
The shock of joining the premier league and the pace involved probably took him by surprise as it does to so many coming over.
He may have had trouble settling, been homesick? Who knows. Then we had the league stopped due to Covid. It’s been an all round weird start to his career.
I want him to come good like all of us, let’s give him this season now he should have settled in and had a proper pre season. I will start judging him harshly is he is still here next season. Let’s see what Mourinho and the team can do with him yeh??


The other thing with Ndombele is that his whole demeanour is one of being totally knackered when he obviously isn't. I saw footage of him walking from the bus to the changing room a while back and his head was back and he was rocking from side to side like he'd run a 10k in a personal best. I think that a lot of the time it's perceived that he's knackered and unfit when it's more a case of odd body language and posture.
 

fridgemagnet

Well-Known Member
Jan 18, 2009
2,410
2,864
Just don't understand why Jose has made the effort to build our whole system to carry Aurier and limit his flaws, yet Ndombele needs to slot perfectly into the team to have a chance.

It's obvious that he needs to be more fit etc but there have been a few games where surely putting Tanguy at 10 and letting Sissoko/Winks/GLC do the brunt work would have been acceptable.

Haven't been impressed with his attitude but equally he hasn't really been given a chance, whereas several other players have had multiple.

That's had me baffled since before Jose, it was glaringly obvious and I'm not a coach so I may be missing something.

Everything went out of square to accommodate the hole/s left by Aurier (and to a much lesser degree Trippier in his piss poor season)
Midfielders went to cover, centre back went to cover leaving a dirty great holes all over the map.

I'd rather we'd dropped Aurier put Lucas in as a deep RW/RM (Lucas has even said he's no inside forward) parked Rose on the bench (especially toward the end) put Son at LM/LW, gone 3 at the back with someone as in a deep sweeper type role in front of them. I think we'd at least have been more solid and more balanced. (this probably highlights why I'm not a coach :ROFLMAO: )

Yes it's easy to say should've got a DM in then more than an upgraded DM, RB we really screwed up not getting a Dembele replacement in before letting the old one go.

Sorry I realise this is naff all to do with Ndombele. I just wanted to reply to the OP.
 

fridgemagnet

Well-Known Member
Jan 18, 2009
2,410
2,864
The other thing with Ndombele is that his whole demeanour is one of being totally knackered when he obviously isn't. I saw footage of him walking from the bus to the changing room a while back and his head was back and he was rocking from side to side like he'd run a 10k in a personal best. I think that a lot of the time it's perceived that he's knackered and unfit when it's more a case of odd body language and posture.

Otherwise know as a Yaya Toure :unsure:
 

emiley heskey

Well-Known Member
Jul 3, 2020
1,121
1,832
Coutinho is more talented on the ball than tanguy ... Just look at his situation now( he still has 30+ g/a for barcelona and 10+ g/a for munich) ... Just to have on the ball skills don't make the cut ..
 

Goobers

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2011
1,948
3,162
I think Coutinho is a great player but I do think there is one role he can play well which is why he was not serviceable at Barca. I think Tanguy and the skill set he has makes him able to play in the centre of the park and dictate things from deep or advanced. I also think his ability to beat the press is amazing.
 

Spurrific

Well-Known Member
Jun 2, 2011
13,501
57,356
Coutinho is more talented on the ball than tanguy ... Just look at his situation now( he still has 30+ g/a for barcelona and 10+ g/a for munich) ... Just to have on the ball skills don't make the cut ..

What’s the end goal for this troll account? Doesn’t seem to have any objective other than to spout utter nonsense
 

Klinsmannic

Well-Known Member
Jun 22, 2011
784
2,420
If I was Levy I’d ask Mourinho to look me in the eye and tell me if he thinks Tanguy is going to be an integral player for us next season, no if’s, no but’s, no coconuts, just a yes or a no. If he says no, then I’d be open to moving him on and reinvesting in players that Mourinho feels will make us better.

Whilst I hope Ndombele is a massive success with us, and if he left he could be the next De Bruyne, Salah, Pogba on Mourinho’s charge sheet, I would be open to swapping him and Foyth (Inter love an Argie CB) for Skriniar and Brozinov. They get the star playmaker they want plus a young international replacement CB who fits Conte’s high line better, and we get upgrades at CB and DCM to suit Jose’s system.

Lloris
NewRB Skriniar Dier Davies
Brozinov Hjøbjerg
Moura LoCelso Son
Kane​

Subs from:
Gazza, Tanganga, Toby, Sanchez, Sessegnon, Winks, Sissoko, Bergwijn, Dele, Lamela

If we do move on any of Aurier, Winks/Sissoko, Lamela and replace with a young talent like Eze or Brooks etc. and get backup for Kane (e.g. Wilson) then I think we’d be in great shape.

*Brozovic.

He and Hojbjerg would be too defensive imo.
 

For the love of Spurs

Well-Known Member
Mar 28, 2015
3,444
11,252
For the love of all that is holy, do not sell Tanguy Ndombele.

Ndombele is such a weird player, he is either going to be our next Luka Modric or our next Adel Taarabt. His level of talent is as good as any prem midfielder but his work ethic and fitness. I have no idea how this will end.
 

emiley heskey

Well-Known Member
Jul 3, 2020
1,121
1,832
*Brozovic.

He and Hojbjerg would be too defensive imo.

I think utilizing differently, brozovic has the ability to play box to box, number 8 role perfectly ... He is good passer of the ball, his passing range is actually top class, on top of that he can run all day long ... So it might depend on how mourinho wants to use him
 
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Scissors&Tape

Well-Known Member
May 17, 2018
259
1,007
A lack of fitness does not necessarily mean a lack of effort or discipline. Everyone has a fitness ceiling that is going to be governed by genetics. Dozens of genes have been identified that affect aerobic capacity and other endurance related traits. (Link). In addition, as a general matter the stress and fatigue caused by intense training can leave muscles and connective prone to injury, and different people will have different degrees of susceptibility to these kinds of injuries. And once injured, it becomes difficult to train.

So perhaps Ndombele's lack of fitness is from a lack of effort and discipline. Or perhaps he simply has a lower ceiling than we would like, and his training has resulted in more injuries than fitness. I don't think any of us know.
 

Tyler24durden

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
1,047
4,440
Just need to get rid for the best deal we can.

A talent without the temperament or desire to achieve more.

poor scouting as he had these issues prior to his one good season.
 

SheffieldAndy

Friends with the monster under my bed.
Jul 4, 2012
1,677
1,985
A lack of fitness does not necessarily mean a lack of effort or discipline. Everyone has a fitness ceiling that is going to be governed by genetics. Dozens of genes have been identified that affect aerobic capacity and other endurance related traits. (Link). In addition, as a general matter the stress and fatigue caused by intense training can leave muscles and connective prone to injury, and different people will have different degrees of susceptibility to these kinds of injuries. And once injured, it becomes difficult to train.

So perhaps Ndombele's lack of fitness is from a lack of effort and discipline. Or perhaps he simply has a lower ceiling than we would like, and his training has resulted in more injuries than fitness. I don't think any of us know.
Surely his fitness being worse than it was the season before would indicate that he’s not currently at his ceiling?
And in the nicest way possible to him, it isn’t just the fitness, it’s the lack of effort on the pitch (in albeit limited appearances) combined with it that makes people unsure about him.
 
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