‘Not possible’ – Journalist blasts on-loan Tottenham star for ‘lazy’ performance 

French journalist Walid Acherchour has blasted Tanguy Ndombele for his lack of effort out of possession during Lyon’s win over win over Angers on Sunday.

Ndombele returned to Lyon on loan during the January transfer deadline day, with the Ligue 1 club having the option to make the deal permanent for £54m (Sky Sports).

The Frenchman impressed in his first outings on his return to the Groupama Stadium and it was subsequently suggested that although Lyon may not be able to sign him permanently, they are already exploring the possibility of extending his loan (Jeunes Footeux).

However, some of the midfielder’s displays over the last month have been well under par, with the 25-year-old being accused of running out of steam in some matches (OL Play via Jeunes Footeux).

Ndombele’s work rate was certainly a topic of much discussion during his time at Spurs, with Jose Mourinho even publicly calling out the midfielder for his lack of effort (Football.London).

The midfielder has now once again come in for similar criticism after completing 78 minutes in Lyon’s 3-2 win over Angers.

Acherchour told RMC following the match (04/04/22 – as relayed by Foot Radio): “Since the start, we haven’t had the impression of seeing players preparing to react to the intensity of a European game. 

“The 3-2 against Angers is a happy result, because at the end of the match, when the ball was lost, we saw players looking at each other. There are really lazy people in this team.

“I’m talking in particular about Tanguy Ndombélé, especially because he’s a player that I appreciate, and one that I have always defended, but this match against Angers, without the ball, it’s not possible to see that.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Tottenham fans will not be surprised at Ndombele is being criticised for his work rate off the ball. That is perhaps the one weakness in the 25-year-old’s game that prevents him from becoming a world-class midfielder.

One can argue that while sides in the French league could afford to carry a passenger a bit more, that is very difficult to do so in a league with as much intensity as the Premier League.

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