Carragher admits he is not fully convinced about player ‘a lot of Spurs fans like’

Jamie Carragher has said that he has not been fully convinced by Tanguy Ndombele and that the midfielder has to have a bigger impact on matches.

Ndombele, who Spurs spent a club-record £53.8m on in the summer of 2019, did not make the impact he was expected to in his first season at the club and it looked like he could potentially be on his way out last summer due to his well-documented relationship with Jose Mourinho.

However, the Frenchman has battled his way back this season and demonstrated why he can be an important player for the club.

While the 24-year-old has shown glimpses of real quality this campaign, he is one of several players in the squad who has blown hot and cold over the past few months.

Ndombele’s performance in the 2-2 draw against Everton last Friday was arguably his worst showing of the season as he struggled to get into the game.

Carragher urged the former Lyon man should demand the ball more and admitted he would like to see him have a bigger impact on matches.

The former Liverpool defender told Sky Sports (16/4/21): “He was a big-money signing. Ndombele is a player who a lot of Spurs fans like.

“He’s got ability. He has shown some lovely touches, at times. But, I must be honest. I feel I have to see a lot more. I really do.

“Every time I see him, I see nice glimpses and little things happening. But you could say he didn’t get a lot of the ball (against Everton).

“But demand (the ball), want to make an impression in the game. I always feel like I need to see more from him.”

Spurs Web Opinion

The issue with playing Ndombele as a number ten is that he does not see as much of the ball as Spurs would like him to. However, I have been disappointed with how the Frenchman has done when moved into a deeper role. When he plays alongside Hojbjerg in the middle of the park, Ndombele seems to want to play safe rather than take risks and that takes away from his main strength which is being able to run with the ball and commit players.

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