After a disappointing performance, José Mourinho goes hard on Tanguy Ndombele. The Spurs trainer severely reproaches the record holder.
José Mourinho has taken one of his players to court harshly after a disappointing draw with FC Burnley.
In an astonishingly ruthless analysis, Premier League club coach Tottenham Hotspur publicly scapegoated Tanguy Ndombele.
“We had no midfield in the first half,” complained Mourinho, who left Ndombele in the box after the first 45 minutes.
“I think more important than tactics is to have players in midfield who want the ball. who can go into the press and get the ball. to have midfielders who can win duels. We didn’t have that,” grumbled ‘The Special One’.
Ndombele had switched from Olympique Lyon to Spurs before the season for 60 million euros. He is the most expensive purchase in the Champions League finalist’s transfer history.
Mourinho: “He must give us more”
Next to the 23-year-old Ndombele was the only 19-year-old Oliver Skipp. Mourinho explicitly excluded him from his criticism.
“Of course I am not talking about Skipp, he is a 19-year-old child who played a few hours of football two days ago. I’m not critical of him at all.” Skipp had also not returned to the pitch after the break.
No, he was all about Ndombele: “I must say that Tanguy had enough time to get to another level.” He knew that the Premier League was a tough place and that some players needed a lot of time to adjust.
“But a player with his potential, with his responsibility, he has to give us more,” said Mourinho, who had already counted the scolded midfielder several times in recent weeks – though not as clearly as he has just done.
There are only two options against Leipzig
Mourinho had wanted to spare several regular players against Burnley in order to start the return match against RB Leipzig in the Champions League with a well rested team.
The Spurs lost their first encounter in the round of sixteen with 0:1. Mourinho was nevertheless combative: “I only want to see two options against Leipzig: We win or we lose, but say goodbye with everything we have. Tired, injured, we give it our all!”
However, Ndombele will probably not play a major role in the Portuguese’s business games.