Spurs fans have flocked to a tweet from Football.london journalist Alasdair Gold in which he relays some quotes from Jose Mourinho regarding Tanguy Ndombele.
It was suggested yesterday that the Frenchman’s relationship with Mourinho had ‘broken’ down, which perhaps led the journalist to ask the 57-year-old about the former Lyon midfielder in his post-match press conference after the game against West Ham. Mourinho replied, saying (per Alasdair Gold):
“No. There is nothing. I try to do the best for my team. I can’t start with 12 or 13 players, sometimes I apologise to the ones I cannot pick.”
The 23-year-old was left on the bench for Tuesday’s game, with the Portuguese manager opting to make just three out of a possible five substitutions, despite the game seemingly being won after Harry Kane added a second goal late on (per BBC). During his time with the Lilywhites, Ndombele has made 19 appearances in the Premier League, contributing two goals and two assists, which has seen him average a disappointing 6.76 rating (per WhoScored).
Do you think Ndombele will be trusted to start any of the remaining games?
Yes
No
Reaction from Spurs fans to Mourinho’s quotes on Ndombele can be seen in the tweets below.
Very similar to his Pogba answers
— john (@OnecoJohn) June 23, 2020
Unfortunately he just doesn’t rate the player, he will be moved on and replaced, he’s not mobile enough in this league
— Jonathan Burns (@jrburns9) June 23, 2020
One Spurs fan suggested that he hoped that the Ndombele and Mourinho situation doesn’t end the same way as Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne’s relationship with the Portuguese manager did, with the 57-year-old selling the Belgian and loaning out the Egyptian during his time at Chelsea (per Transfermarkt). Both players have since gone on to establish themselves as up there with the very best in the Premier League.
Just hope this doesn’t turn out to be another salah, De Bruyne situation?
— Tony Hobbs (@TonyHob29) June 24, 2020
This makes me even more convinced it’s Jose playing the long game with Tanguy and trying to test his commitment and desire. The player is truly gifted but hard work is needed for his potential to be realised. No way Jose doesn’t have a plan for him.
— RCGBarbs (@Richard73980468) June 24, 2020
IM COMPLETELY FED UP OF SEING A SPURS LINE UP WITHOUT A NDOMBELE – LO CELSO PATNERSHIP….PERIOD!!!!!!!! MOURINHO IS TRYING TO DO THE EXACT RUBBISH HE DID WITH POGBA, its verry concerning
— Cleopas Pedzisa (@CleopasPedzisa) June 23, 2020
Other Spurs fans aimed their criticism at Ndombele.
He’s not good enough. Simple. Has all the twists and turns but not much else
— HKPB (@HKPB5) June 24, 2020
Ndombele has done nothing to justify a selection his attitude and previous fitness levels weren’t good enough I’m happy to let him go le celsco is a future star
— Mattkav60 (@mattkav60) June 23, 2020
Overall, it seems as if some Spurs fans are genuinely concerned by Mourinho’s answer and feel that Ndombele may struggle to ever become a regular under the Portuguese manager.