“He knows how to touch people” – Ndombele says Poch was a vital factor in transfer

After not signing a single player for the last year and a half, Tottenham Hotspur shattered their transfer record to secure the services of Tangy Ndombele from Lyon last Monday.

The 22-year-old was one of the most sought after players in Europe this summer and reportedly had many admirers across Europe’s best leagues. Lyon President, Jean Michel Aulas did suggest that a lot of clubs including PSG were interested in signing the French midfielder (GFFN).

When asked why he chose Tottenham over the other clubs interested in him, Ndombele highlighted manager Mauricio Pochettino as a major factor in his decision.

He revealed that the conversation he had with the Argentine left him in no doubt that he wanted to go to Spurs.

Speaking to L’Equipe, Ndombele said, “It was deeply thought through (the decision to come to Spurs). Tottenham have one of the best managers in the world. The fact that he wants you, it makes you want to come work with him. He was the one who shifted my decision.

“It is difficult to describe but he knows how to touch people, to leave a mark on people. He looked at me in the eyes and said: ‘come with me, I am sure that you will progress.’ It is these types of little things that made me want to sign over there.

“I could see that he really, genuinely wanted me, that he genuinely liked me.”

The former Lyon midfielder also said that he wanted to add more intensity to his game and that is part of the reason behind his decision to come to Spurs.

When asked if he has the intesity required at the top level, Ndombele said, “Yes, otherwise I would not have made this choice. I have seen how Tottenham play. I am a young player, I am going to Tottenham to learn.

On being quizzed on whether he can handle Pochettino infamous high intensity training sessions, the midfielder said, “I am ready for that. I have never suffered in a training session but if I have to, then it is good for me.

“I am ready to change. I am not going to turn up thinking: ‘The training sessions, they need to be less intense.’ No, that does not exist (in my thinking).

“People talk a lot about my so-called nonchalance, I am who I am, I am working on it. And I try to make it so that it is not seen that much.”

Spurs Web Opinion

It is now clear that Tottenham is a very attractive option for players as not only do we have one of the best stadiums as well as training facilities in the world, but we can now also boast of having one of the best managers in the world.

It really is a glorious time to be a Spurs fan despite the Champions League final set back last month which was just a step back to go forward in the long term.

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