Jose Mourinho pleased with Tottenham midfielder Ndombele’s ‘big evolution’

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho has praised the progression of Tanguy Ndombele, stating the player has undergone a ‘big evolution’.

The Frenchman has been a key player for Spurs this term having endured a difficult first season with the club.

In 2019/20, Ndombele wasn’t always fancied by Mourinho, who would leave him out of matchday squads and criticise him publicly for poor performances.

It’s certainly a different story this term though, with Ndombele starting the majority of games.

He’s clearly made an impression on Mourinho, who sang the 24-year-old’s praises today at his press conference.

He said (quoted by The Guardian): “We are happy, apart from a couple of matches where his performances were not good. Overall there was a big evolution. He’s a player who is playing very well and is giving some good things to the team.”

Arguably the next step for Ndombele is to improve his fitness enough to be able to stay on the pitch for a full 90 minutes, something that is rare for the ex-Lyon maestro.

On that, Mourinho added: “This season I believe to play at this intensity and to give the team what it needs with and without the ball, it’s not easy for him to last 90 minutes.

“To play at this intensity – Premier League intensity – and to last for 90 minutes is another step in the direction of his fitness.”

TBR’s View – Ndombele heading in the right direction

It’s becoming more and more apparent why Spurs spent so much money on Ndombele in the summer of 2019.

He is a quality, technical player who looks like he has the potential to be unplayable on his day.

Once his fitness reaches peak levels, Spurs will be in possession of a force to be reckoned with.