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The Ndombele Redemption

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The short-attention-span, zero-patience, polarised nature of social media was always likely to be bad news for Tanguy Ndombele. After arriving from Lyon last summer, for a club-record fee, anything other than a blistering start for the French midfielder was always going to ignite the very worst in online fan reactionism. 

What a waste of money, was the cry from Twitter, after Tanguy didn’t look quite up to speed in his opening few games. Despite scoring against Aston Villa on the first day, and generally looking decent, the dye was cast for many fans.

To be fair to those naysayers, it can’t be argued that Ndombele’s initial offerings weren’t anything like those we’d seen for Lyon; anything like those breathtaking displays in the Champions League against Man City, both home and away. Unlike the excellent online pokies australia, he looked sluggish, unfit, uninterested. 

This was clearly a view shared by Jose Mourinho as he kept the midfielder benched for the majority of last season. If there’s one thing the Portuguese coach won’t tolerate, and there’s plenty of evidence to back this up, is a lack of effort. A particularly lethargic contribution against Burnley at Turf Moor was met with typical Mourinho scorn. I cannot keep giving him opportunities, he said, perhaps to give him the rocket in his breeches that he needed.

Despite the disappointment of Ndombele’s early Spurs career, it would be unhelpful not to factor in a few caveats as to why he might not be hitting the levels he managed at Lyon. Change of manager; he’s 22, playing in a new league, the global pandemic, just to name a few.

Tanguy the Great

Thankfully for everyone involved—not so much for any opposition midfielder unfortunate enough to tangle with him—Ndombele seems to have those teething problems to one side. Looking leaner, fitter, and with a sense of purpose and desire, the Frenchman is a frightening proposition. A complete midfielder; athletic, intelligent, Dembele-esque in his balletic safeguarding of the ball, and a joy to watch.

Similar to a visit to slot machine en ligne, the highlight reel of his performance in the 0-0 draw against Chelsea before Christmas was a thing of beauty and, on Sunday, he was absolutely dominant against a battling Sheffield United. The impudent, inventive lop he pulled from the depths was the crown on a magisterial display.

Is there a more more well-rounded midfielder in the League right now? Perhaps, but it’s difficult to imagine. Is there a more fun player to watch? Absolutely not.

Ndomballer, indeed.

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