Player Watch - Tanguy Ndombele

[wrd]

Learn not to get carried away but also, it's the same level as KDB or nothing. Cool.

 

[mrlilywhite]

They’re both midfielders? Following Tottenham I’ve seen Hoddle, Ardiles, Gascoigne, Modric, world class midfield players. I sincerely hope that Ndombele grows to that stature but at the moment he’s nowhere near.

Here's why I think you are underestimating just how good N'Dombele is and the ceiling he can reach - You mentioned those players I have highlighted in Bold - Hoddle & Ossie were, by far and large exceptional talents and my love for Hoddle knows no boundaries, however, the pace, technical ability and overall skill of players they faced back in the late '70s & '80s were nowhere of the same quality of players that play in the premier league now. The game, fitness and management of players nowadays are far and beyond what they were in the '80s.

The likes of Gazza & Hoddle were anomalies in an era where space wasn't a premium - tactical, high-intensity pressing wasn't a thing and overall space was afforded for these geniuses to shine. Tanguy has something that is so unique, that you just can't really buy. It's more of a collective of things that he does exceptionally well, and that makes him one of a kind. When you add it all up it, he confirms the rational thought that he truly is a complete midfielder. Gazza had an exceptional ability to create chances and score goals and had two feet that afforded him the ability to make space, but he was never a complete midfielder, but he was ultra pleasing on the eye.

Hoddle had so much natural ability it was almost unfair, but he never had pace, once again though he was never really a complete midfielder.
I've always been aware of what Hoddle was and what he was not - criminally underused by England, but that's a story for another time.

Luka Modric was that little pocket of genius and possibly the closest we have come to a true example of a complete midfielder in recent times. Modric though can't really claim that role of being a complete midfielder, as his defensive work wasn't there, other than that, he had everything else. Outstanding ability to be that player that changed the dynamics of any given game.

For me and I'm sure anyone else who is following Tanguy right now, it isn't about how he compares to some of our greats that you have mentioned, it's what separates him from those that counts. The player I watched at Lyon showed a player that had that ability to turn defence into attack, unbelievable tenacity to receive the ball, hold off opposition players and dribble out into an attacking phase, and deliver beautiful passes that opened up attacking options. One thing that perhaps we weren't seeing was his desire to get back and make that difference in defence. Tanguy is pressing a lot more and showing a strength that I didn't really see in his first season. Even this season up until recently I hadn't seen that side of his play enough, which might lead some to think that he was a luxury we could ill afford. I was guilty of seeing that and suggesting that the only role he was capable of was in a more advance role, but as each game goes by and TN gets more match fitness and confidence, I see a player that has a lot more and one I am really excited to see develop.

Of course, there is every chance that he might regress and one gets that feeling that he could easily slip back into that player we bemoaned so much last season, but maybe, just maybe we were too quick to throw him under the bus, perhaps we are starting to see the start of something so special in the modern game that support him is all we should be thinking about right now. It seems strange to some maybe that we are dominating the midfield more when he plays. Is there a comparison that we can make with how good GLC is vs TN? I don't think so. Both are critical players for us. Maybe not right now, but both will be the fulcrum of this team and I see a time where both will compliment each other, like a certain midfield pair that once graced the best team in Europe not that long ago.

To dismiss what we are seeing now is to dismiss Tanguy altogether. This is just the beginning of an evolution at Spurs, and one that includes Tanguy N'Dombele.

 

[Mark_147]

Ndombele had 8 recoveries against West ham which was more than any other midfielder on the pitch and he won 6 of his 9 duels which was more than Declen rice.

 

[Mr Pink]

To be honest if you can't see the insane potential this guy has I'd argue football maybe isn't for you.

He's starting to realise it now. Mourinho is going to seriously invest in him and I think he'll be the best midfielder in the league by next season.

 

[Timberwolf]

To be honest if you can't see the insane potential this guy has I'd argue football maybe isn't for you.

He's starting to realise it now. Mourinho is going to seriously invest in him and I think he'll be the best midfielder in the league by next season.

I wonder how long it will take opposition fans and pundits to catch on.

I think (almost) every Spurs fan already recognises how massively talented he is but I think among the wider football community he's still seen as a bit of a fat failure of a signing. Lo Celso also seems to be criminally underrated.

It's certainly not a bad thing but it's quite weird to have 2 of the best midfielders in the entire league yet both still under the radar.

 

[slartibartfast]

Ndombele had 8 recoveries against West ham which was more than any other midfielder on the pitch and he won 6 of his 9 duels which was more than Declen rice.

Goes part of the way to explain why the wheels fell off when he was subbed.

 

[Seafordian Spurs]

I wonder how long it will take opposition fans and pundits to catch on.

I think (almost) every Spurs fan already recognises how massively talented he is but I think among the wider football community he's still seen as a bit of a fat failure of a signing. Lo Celso also seems to be criminally underrated.

It's certainly not a bad thing but it's quite weird to have 2 of the best midfielders in the entire league yet both still under the radar.

It's results like yesterday's and Newcastle that undermine (understandably) any positive narrative about Spurs and our brilliant boys, Tanguy and LoCelso. Hopefully we'll be more consistent and they'll get the plaudits they deserve. With a pot or two to boot.

 

[Mr Pink]

I wonder how long it will take opposition fans and pundits to catch on.

I think (almost) every Spurs fan already recognises how massively talented he is but I think among the wider football community he's still seen as a bit of a fat failure of a signing. Lo Celso also seems to be criminally underrated.

It's certainly not a bad thing but it's quite weird to have 2 of the best midfielders in the entire league yet both still under the radar.

It is. I'd guess they'd say we're getting carried away but we really aren't.

Yesterday was a huge kick in the bollox but I'm also bubbling with excitement with this squad.

Jose knows it as well, he just needs to refine our defensive work as a collective...what he's renowned for.

On the attack we're breathtaking.

 

[popstar7]

First time in a couple of years I'm actually excited to watch us play. Feels like forever.

 

[SlotBadger]

First time in a couple of years I'm actually excited to watch us play. Feels like forever.

Same here, but I’m struggling to get the bitter taste of yesterday out of my mouth. I rarely avoid highlights or press reports (Champions League final being the last time) but I can’t bring myself to watch MOTD2.

 

[Bulletspur]

I don’t hate him at all, he’s a very skilful player. I’m yet to be convinced he’s worth £60m, time will tell. Football is a team game

Pogba 90m, Pepe 70m, ..........see where I am going with this? (Ndomebele is currently better than those two in my opinion)

I can ask you the same in the other sense.
Last season Gio was the key to be in Europa hwile Ndombelé was benched

Ndombele:
Last season - fat, unfit, not bothered - bench.
This season - leaner, fitter, motivated - 1st 11

 

[ardiles]

That’s why I don’t fully agree about us having a strong bench. Yes, the second string attackers are strong but when one of Ndombele, GLC or Højbjerg is replaced, the levels in midfield drops by a fair bit.

 

[cozzo]

NDombele has high football IQ, and that’s what was needed around him players with equally high football IQ.

 

[Paraward]

I wonder how long it will take opposition fans and pundits to catch on.

I think (almost) every Spurs fan already recognises how massively talented he is but I think among the wider football community he's still seen as a bit of a fat failure of a signing. Lo Celso also seems to be criminally underrated.

It's certainly not a bad thing but it's quite weird to have 2 of the best midfielders in the entire league yet both still under the radar.

From one side, this is fine because it means that great teams aren't going to steal them from us any time soon.
But in the other side they deserve more value from the press and the people in general.
Tanguy has a ridiculous IQ and technical abilities, and he's only 23 years old, he can be a monster

 

[DEFchenkOE]

Best thing about Ndombele's form recently is that he's pretty much become undroppable when fit.

Whereas previously Jose has been kind of rotating between him and GLC, now he will have to play both. Especially when the back up options will bring such a vast gap in quality, which is clear for everyone to see now.

It's just a shame GLC seems to constantly have these little niggles and fitness issues. Hopefully once he's over that we will get to see our ideal midfield 3 of Ndombele - Hojberg - Lo Celso.

 

[Timberwolf]

That’s why I don’t fully agree about us having a strong bench. Yes, the second string attackers are strong but when one of Ndombele, GLC or Højbjerg is replaced, the levels in midfield drops by a fair bit.

Yeah I'd say that's our weakest area in terms of depth, even worse than CB where the general quality is lower but there isn't a massive drop off.

The drop from Hojbjerg-> Sissoko, from Lo Celso -> Winks, from Ndombele -> Gedson is huge. We can't expect to have incredible depth in every position but I do think one more well rounded, solid CM to replace Sissoko and/or Winks, would be ideal and in a dream world that would be someone like Sabitzer.

Next summer the ideal window would be a new CM, a new CB, a new RB (I still think we can do better than Aurier and I'm not convinced by Doherty in a back 4) and a permanent deal for Vinicius if he's any good.

 

[Norgie]

There was one part of the play on Sunday (I can't remember when it was as it was wine o'clock for me) when N'Dombele played a ball to Aurier. It was his vision for the pass that surprised me, every other one of our midfielders would have played it wide to Aurier, however N'Dombele played it through the gap behind the defender for Aurier to run on to. It was the vision and weight of pass (critical) that were sublime. The only other player that might play or try that pass would be GLC.

 

[PeeEyeEmPee]

§


When you've watched football for several decades you also get a sense of a player who's pretty special even if they're not the finished article. I think that's all people are really saying.

Precisely. How much do you really know about football if you have to wait until someone has achieved their potential before you are able to recognise it?

 

[USAYID]

There was one part of the play on Sunday (I can't remember when it was as it was wine o'clock for me) when N'Dombele played a ball to Aurier. It was his vision for the pass that surprised me, every other one of our midfielders would have played it wide to Aurier, however N'Dombele played it through the gap behind the defender for Aurier to run on to. It was the vision and weight of pass (critical) that were sublime. The only other player that might play or try that pass would be GLC.

To be fair Hojbjerg made a similar pass to Aurier for his goal at United.

 

[Cochise]

Yeah I'd say that's our weakest area in terms of depth, even worse than CB where the general quality is lower but there isn't a massive drop off.

The drop from Hojbjerg-> Sissoko, from Lo Celso -> Winks, from Ndombele -> Gedson is huge. We can't expect to have incredible depth in every position but I do think one more well rounded, solid CM to replace Sissoko and/or Winks, would be ideal and in a dream world that would be someone like Sabitzer.

Next summer the ideal window would be a new CM, a new CB, a new RB (I still think we can do better than Aurier and I'm not convinced by Doherty in a back 4) and a permanent deal for Vinicius if he's any good.

If we're realistic, I think we need 4 players that are capable of playing in that midfield three without a dropoff in talent. With Tanguy seemingly our first choice #10 and GLC able to deputise we need the depth to come at the #8 and #6 positions. I think the links to Kalvin Phillips at Leeds aren't far off the mark as he's the exact type of player to be that fourth man.

Throw in Skipp returning next year and we have N'Dombele, GLC, Hojbjerg, Skipp and Phillips for three spots. Then it's a choice of who we keep from Sissoko, Gedson, Winks and Dele.