Former Atalanta midfielder Massimo Donati has claimed that Tanguy Ndombele can be an important player for Napoli this season once the on-loan Tottenham man adjusts to Serie A.
Ndombele completed a loan move to Napoli towards the end of the summer transfer window, with The Times reporting at the time that the Serie A club have the option to buy him permanently for £25m.
The midfielder had a tough start to life at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, having been hooked at half-time in his first couple of starts in the Serie A, and coming under criticism for his displays (Napoli Piu).
West Ham legend Paulo Di Canio even told Il Mattino (09/09/22 via Sport Witness) earlier this month that the Napoli manager Luciano Spelletti will have to perform a “miracle” to get the best out of the 25-year-old.
However, Ndombele has now given Napoli fans a reason to be optimistic after showing his class off the bench in the Champions League clash against Rangers on Wednesday.
The on-loan Spurs man came on in the 83rd minute with the Serie A side leading 1-0, and he played a part in the Partenopei’s second goal before putting the icing on the cake by scoring their third in stoppage time.
Donati has suggested on the back of Ndombele’s showing in midweek that the midfielder has the attributes to become a key player for Spalletti’s men.
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The pundit told TuttoNapoli: “Napoli is a team that has become aware of its own means. The new arrivals have integrated well; the group is mature and is showing its full value. The Azzurri’s performance against the Scots doesn’t surprise me.
“Raspadori wants to show himself in an important team, he is very hungry. Ndombele, on the other hand, just has to adapt to Serie A and Italian football. He has important qualities; he can prove decisive for Spalletti.”
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Given that Ndombele has not played as much football as he would have wanted over the last 12 months, it was perhaps unfair to expect the midfielder to hit the ground running at Naples.
The 25-year-old was also bound to take time to get used to the Serie A and Spalletti’s system. Let’s hope his performance on Wednesday helps boost his confidence and turns out to be the launchpad that the Frenchman needs.
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