Former Premier League manager Alex McLeish has praised Nuno Espirito Santo for his part in helping Tanguy Ndombele to find his confidence at Tottenham.
The 24-year-old has endured a tricky two-year spell in North London since making a £62 million move from Lyon, but has shown his world-class ability at points in his Spurs career.
Ndombele was absent for the entirety of pre-season under Nuno, but has recently played his way into the Portuguese coach’s side early into the campaign.
He made his first start of the season against Rennes in the Europa Conference League, then played just over an hour in the 3-0 defeat at home to Chelsea.
The Frenchman’s most recent display against Wolves in the Carabao Cup saw him net his first goal of the campaign, helping Spurs on their way to a fourth-round clash against Burnley.
Ndombele’s recent upturn in form, when all seemed ominous, has captured the attention of McLeish, who believes Spurs coach Nuno should take credit in believing in his credentials to help the side.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “He must have seen the talent was there. Maybe there was a lack of confidence.
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“That’s perhaps what Nuno has worked on. There’s nothing like giving a player who’s got some quality but has been struggling a bit of confidence and having belief in him.
“Honestly, there must be anxiety that gets into players. As a human being, when you get under a bit of pressure, you know you’re a better player.
“You know you can show the reason you’re at a club like Tottenham but it’s just not happening at your head.
“That is important for a leader, one of the other leaders in the team as well and also the leader of the whole group, who is Nuno. He seems to have given the kid confidence.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Ndombele has shown at points that he is more than capable of being a world-class midfielder. He needs the right set-up around him so he can express what he is best at, and his recent form is definitely a step in the right direction.
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