Tanguy Ndombele’s first season at Tottenham didn’t go entirely to plan.
And with Jose Mourinho clashing with Paul Pogba at Manchester United, there might have been fears he was once again on a collision course with a talented, expensive French midfield recruit.
But Ndombele has settled at Spurs this season, and set up the opening goal in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Manchester City.
Former Tottenham boss Glenn Hoddle praised the midfielder in his Evening Standard column, praising the impact of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg next to him.
“There was always a player in there,” said Hoddle. “I liked him from what I saw of him early doors. He is a really good asset to the midfield. He has got a bit of everything.
“He sometimes loses his position but I think Jose Mourinho knows that now and appreciates what he can do with the ball. He will try and win the ball when it is there to be won, I think he just loses himself tracking people.
“But he has got other players in there like Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to do that for him. Holding players like Hojbjerg keep it simple, Ndombele does the intricate things and sees a picture.
“He is a nice balancing player to play with that holding player. And I think he has got his confidence back, I think there is more to come from him. I like him.”
Ndombele has firmly established himself in Mourinho’s plans, and Hoddle is right to note the better midfield balance this term.
Hojbjerg was given his break at Bayern Munich under Pep Guardiola, but helped put his old mentor to the sword on Saturday.
Mourinho is moulding him into a snarling, aggressive anchorman and he was instrumental in shutting City down.
The duo compliment each other and Moussa Sissoko’s workrate perfectly blended to round off the midfield trio at the weekend.
- Meet Ethan Pocic’s wife Heather as Jeffree Star tweet continues to puzzle
- Michael McKean aka ‘Lenny’ of Laverne & Shirley pays tribute to Cindy Williams
- Is the Sean Payton movie on Netflix? Where to stream Home Team
- Who is Henry Anderson’s wife Saryn? Jeffree Star tweet sends fans Googling
- Who is OussiFooty? Age, real name and nationality of TikTok footballer