View: Tanguy Ndombele can be handed new Tottenham lifeline under Ange Postecoglu, he fits perfectly
With new Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglu wanting to get to know his squad during pre-season, Serie A title winner Tanguy Ndombele could well be handed a lifeline in North London.
French outlet FootMercato reported on 2 June that the Frenchman informed Napoli during a conversation between the two parties about his future that he wishes to return to North London and revive his Spurs career.
The former Lyon maestro has spent the past two seasons away on loan, previously with his former club Lyon during the 2021/22 campaign before his time in Italy last season as Napoli picked up their first scudetto in 33 years.
Although the midfielder only played 1,180 minutes during his time in Italy in all competitions, when he did feature, Ndombele certainly made an impact from midfield giving the indications that he certainly isn’t finished at Hotspur Way.
Postecoglou’s first week at Tottenham has been largely spent getting to know the players and staff, including his own team of coaches, but he has wasted no time in impressing his philosophy on a skeleton squad, as reported by the Evening Standard (7 July).
The report follows that by claiming: “There is already fresh optimism that Ndombele, for example, could have a lifeline under Postecoglou; when the Frenchman was last at Hotspur Way, he was forced to train alone or with the Under-23s by Antonio Conte, but he has been fully involved this week.”
Such news will have certainly given the Tottenham Hotspur fans some cause of optimism around a £63m signing that has yet to get going in North London despite his unique and supreme talents from midfield.
During his two years prior to his two loan spells, the 26-year-old has certainly shown flashes of his undeniable brilliance but none of Jose Mourinho, or Conte managed to get the best out of him in their cautious and defensive-first approach.
However, that could certainly change under Postecoglu who has been regularly associated with an expansive, progressive, high-octane style which he utilised so impressive at Celtic during his two years at Parkhead.
The Australian manager’s style fits Ndombele down to a tee, as certainly desires progressive, composed and assured midfielders to dominate the middle third and the former Lyon playmaker embraces all the hallmarks to become a key figure under Postecoglu, especially with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg open to exploring new challenges.
The stats certainly suggest Ndombele has a part to play in Postecoglu’s exciting revolution. Last season for Napoli, as per FBREF, the 26-year-old had an average pass accuracy of 87.8 per cent in the Serie A, putting him in the 93rd percentile for midfielders in the league.
Even more impressively, Ndombele made 3.01 progressive carries per 90 and 2.12 successful take-ons per 90. For both of these statistics, the player was in the 98th and 99th percentile respectively, for midfielders in the league.
On his day, Ndombele is a sublime and easy-on-the-eye performer, elegantly showcasing the abilities to weave past players in order to drive his team up the pitch or to disrupt low opposition blocks. Spurs arguably do not possess a midfield man capable of fulfilling such influential characteristics, and even if they do, there is no one better than Ndombele at performing to such standards.
If Ndombele is to make it at Spurs, the player will have to show a level of commitment and desire he has yet to show. The talent is there for all to see, but many fans have often questioned his work rate and hunger. Hopefully, Postecoglu can breed that out of him as fans seeing a £63m talent go to waste will surely hurt.
A fully fit and focused Ndombele who can handle the physicality of the Premier League would be exactly what Tottenham’s midfield is crying out for. In terms of on-the-ball ability, he is one of the most gifted players the club has had in many years and also one of the most gifted in the Premier League.
With Postecoglu set to hand several Tottenham players a clean slate under his new and improved stewardship, there may be no better player who fans will be desperate to see thrive than Ndombele.
In other Tottenham news, one pundit has backed Maddison to shine under Postecoglou at the North London club.