Glenn Hoddle questions Tottenham player’s fitness levels in scathing attack

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Glenn Hoddle has told Premier League Productions that he does not believe Tanguy Ndombele has the required fitness to play Premier League football.

Ndombele, 24, was thrown into the starting line-up against Chelsea on Sunday afternoon in an attacking side, fielded by Nuno Espirito Santo.

It looked as though it paid off in the first 45. Spurs were intense, could have scored. But they died off in the second half, failing to maintain their levels.

Ndombele was a main example of that, eventually being dragged just after the hour mark. Chelsea cruised to a 3-0 win in the second half.

Ex-Tottenham player and manager Hoddle was brutally honest in his verdict after the match, questioning if Ndombele is fit enough at this level.

“Slowly, but surely, they got fatigued and there was too much space on the edge of the area,” Hoddle said. “Ndombele, in the end, he has got to get himself fit to play football. He’s not fit enough, the lad. He’s got ability.”

Hoddle on Ndombele: Brutal, but only fair on Tottenham man

While it is clear Ndombele has all the skill, the flair, the ability to create magic – he lacks the basics in which make a proper professional.

Clearly, he is way off it in terms of fitness. But it is also tracking runners, staying with his man and learning when to use his ability, and when not to.

Against Chelsea, he looked good to begin with but as the game wore on – he struggled to cope with the intensity Nuno clearly wants to see from his side.

Ndombele is not the only example. Spurs need to get fitter to meet Nuno’s demands. Failing to do that, and it will end before it has even started.

In other Tottenham news, here is what Cesar Azpilicueta thought of Spurs.