Darren Bent singles out the player who Mourinho cannot currently rely on week in, week out

Former Tottenham striker Darren Bent has claimed that Jose Mourinho cannot rely upon on the club’s record signing Tanguy Ndombele to produce the goods next season.

The Frenchman arrived from Lyon with plenty of expectation on his shoulders but has had a disappointing first season in North London.

The midfielder, who was publicly criticised by Mourinho for a lack of effort after the draw against Burnley last month (BBC), was in the eye of another storm last week after he was pictured training outdoors with the Spurs ahead coach denying the government’s guidelines to exercise only with those you share a household with.

L’Equipe claim that the 23-year-old has not adapted to the Tottenham head coach and is not keen to carry on at Spurs next season if things don’t improve for him on and off the pitch.

Bent believes working with Ndombele is quite frustrating for Mourinho, who would rather work with players who give 100 per cent every game.

Speaking to Football Insider, the former England star said: “I think when you’ve got somebody like Ndombele, with all that ability and all that quality, but he can’t produce it on a regular basis – Mourinho doesn’t need players like that right now.

“He needs players that are going to be out there every single week. When you look at some of the best players that he’s had, one thing they’ve all got in common is that they’re all very durable. They can play game after game after game.

“Jose’s probably thinking to himself, that he’s got all the ability in the world, but he needs someone who can play week after week. He can’t take the risk of it being every now and then.

“They can’t rely on him as much they would like.”

Spurs Web Opinion

While Mourinho might well be frustrated by Ndombele’s attitude and fitness, it is clear that he wants the midfielder to succeed at the club. If he wanted to get rid of him in the summer, there is no reason for him to spend time with him training one on one.

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