Tanguy Ndombele was brought in last summer at Tottenham Hotspur, during Mauricio Pochettino‘s reign in charge of the club. Ndombele was and still is a hot prospect. However, since Jose Mourinho’s arrival, the player hasn’t had the best of times. Ndombele started five games since Mourinho’s hiring. This includes one FA Cup game against Southampton and an away fixture against Burnley where he was subbed out at halftime.
Tanguy Ndombele: Where Does He Fit?
Tanguy Ndombele versus Jose Mourinho
Mourinho, ever since his time at Real Madrid, has had notable friction with multiple players. Mourinho had feuds with the likes of Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, the Chelsea locker room, Paul Pogba, Luke Shaw, and others. Ndombele is now the victim of Mourinho’s antics. Back in February, Mourinho called out the Frenchman in a press conference:
“Ndombele? He is injured all the time. He is injured, not injured, he plays a match, the following week he is injured.” (Get French Football News)
Currently, England is on lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, that hasn’t stopped Mourinho who has controversially been seen training with Ndombele and two of his Spurs teammates (Davinson Sanchez and Ryan Sessegnon). Ndombele isn’t fancied by Mourinho. Unless Daniel Levy has second thoughts about hiring Mourinho, it looks like Ndombele will be on the fringes for a while.
Ndombele is a talented player. The young Frenchman is a modern central midfielder who is a jack of all trades. Many top teams around Europe would be happy to have a player like him. If Spurs won’t utilize his ability, he might want to look elsewhere. The Euros are postponed to 2021. If Ndombele wants to have a chance to get into that French team, he needs to be playing more football under a manager that will back him rather than hold him down.
Manchester Clubs
Both Manchester clubs could use a player like Ndombele. United desperately need a midfielder. Paul Pogba is likely out the door this summer; Scott McTominay is a solid player, he doesn’t have what it takes to lead a midfield. Fortunately, Fred has come to his own this season and with Bruno Fernandes playing in the hole above them, Ndombele can be the fulcrum at the base of midfield. Ndombele would be the missing piece for them.
Manchester City would also be an option. City has loads of talent in midfield, however, there will certainly be some turnover next season. David Silva‘s stint at the club is coming to an end and while Rodri is an immense talent, he hasn’t panned out quite like how some expected. Ilkay Gundogan has been linked with moves away from the club and as talented as Fernandinho is, he’ll be 35 in May.
Phil Foden will likely step up for Guardiola and of course, there are still the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva who play in midfield. Hypothetically speaking, if Gundogan and Silva are gone at the end of the season, that would leave City with the need for depth. Ndombele probably wouldn’t be the starting midfielder. However, he would clock in many minutes for sure as he possesses the talents that Guardiola likes in a player. Ndombele is tactically flexible, good in the press, has a range of passing, and comfortable on the ball. All of this being said, it would take a lot of money for Daniel Levy to sell to any Premier League rival. So while Ndombele would be a good fit for either Manchester club, Daniel Levy probably won’t sell.
Juventus
Juventus’ midfield has been the weakest part of their team this season. It’s time for some new blood. Adrien Rabiot hasn’t been a major success and Blaise Matuidi is about two to three years past his prime. Aaron Ramsey, no surprise to anyone, has been incredibly injury prone. Finally, Miralem Pjanic is patchy at times, going consecutive games without being noticed.
Juventus have had murmuring links with a possibly returning Paul Pogba. Pogba would be a great acquisition and it would add energy to a jaded midfield. However, one midfielder won’t be enough for the Bianconeri. Juventus could bring in someone like Tanguy Ndombele. Adding a player like Pogba as well could create the midfield three of Pogba, Pjanic, and Ndombele.
Ndombele brings youth to Juve’s midfield. A transfer to the Italian champions is also way more likely than a move to Premier League rival. Which makes this a possible transfer. Maurizio Sarri might be on the chopping block at the end of the season. Whether it’s him or someone else at the helm, Ndombele would be a great fit. Juventus have an ageing team and it’s time to inject some youth in order to make for a smooth turnover when it’s finally time for a rebuild.
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