Jamie Redknapp criticises Jose Mourinho for Tanguy Ndombele decision

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Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp has been critical of Jose Mourinho’s substitutions in yesterday’s 1-1 draw with Wolves. 

Tottenham took an early lead through Tanguy Ndombele at Molineux but then sat back and were punished late on by Romain Saiss’ headed equaliser. 

Redknapp feels that Tottenham’s inability to impose themselves on the game after taking the lead was disappointing and pointed the finger at substitutions made by Mourinho – including the taking off of Ndombele – as major contributory factors. 

“He made a substitution in the 70th minute he brought off Tanguy Ndombele who was in the form of his life. The guy is running the game, doing great things, and looked full of confidence and then you take him off. 

“It sets the tone for the rest of the players. You take off Son as well and it says ‘right we are now going to hang on to what we have got’. That then transmits to the players. You get deeper and deeper and in the end, the inevitable comes.”

There is no doubt that bringing off Ndombele was a divisive decision from the Spurs boss. The Frenchman was having a fine game and with Son and Harry Kane struggling to have a similar impact, his presence in an attacking sense was vitally important to Spurs relieving pressure against a relentless Wolves in the second half. 

With fixtures congested and Ndombele looking leggy the decision can also be easily justified by those wishing to defend the Portuguese for his decision.

However, there is no doubt that an already retreating Tottenham looked even more impotent after Ndombele and Son left the field, leaving them open to a sucker punch from their opponents. 

Perhaps it is time Mourinho begins to question his own substitution methodology.