Report offers explanation as to why Mourinho keeps substituting Ndombele

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Tanguy Ndombele has become a key figure for Tottenham Hotspur this season.

The French midfielder has really impressed in a more advanced midfield role, having take some time to settle in at the club following his big-money move in the summer of 2019.

It was a tough debut campaign for Ndombele, who wasn’t always fancied by Jose Mourinho and was sometimes left out of the squad despite carrying no injury.

In 2020/21 it’s been a different story though, with the 23-year-old starting the majority of matches including seven in a row in the Premier League before he missed the North London Derby last weekend through illness.

Things appear to be going much smoother, but one thing fans still pick up on, is how much Mourinho substitutes the star.

Ndombele has yet to complete 90 minutes in the league and is usually substituted somewhere between the 60 and 80-minute mark, regardless of how well he might be playing.

According to ESPN, Mourinho doing this is ‘all part of the plan to build his stamina to where it counts most in the latter part of the season’, even if the player is visibly frustrated.

TBR’s View – Ndombele surely nearing full fitness

It could well be that Ndombele starts to complete 90 minutes on a more regular basis soon, and that will be a big positive for Spurs.

He’s had a lot of opportunities so far this season without any real interruption and all the minutes he’s got so far will surely have done him wonders.

Ndombele staying on the pitch for full games is something many supporters want to see, as the star’s quality and ability to drive the team forwards and break the lines is abundantly clear.