Martin Keown singles out ‘much improved’ Spurs star for performance against Dinamo

Martin Keown has admitted that he has been impressed by how much Tanguy Ndombele has improved after the midfielder put in another dominant display in the middle of the park during Tottenham’s 2-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday.

Ndombele was deployed as a number ten by Jose Mourinho at the start of the season and was more often than not replaced around the 60 minute mark by the Portuguese.

However, the Frenchman has now been pushed back to a deeper role, often partnering Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in midfield which has seen the French international last longer in matches.

The 24-year-old was handed a rest during Tottenham’s 4-1 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday, with Harry Winks getting the nod to start alongside Hojbjerg against the Eagles.

It was not much of a surprise when the former Lyon man was named in the starting line up against Dinamo, partnering Moussa Sissoko in midfield.

Ndombele drove forward with the ball on several occasions against the Croats, winning his side plenty of fouls and arguably being unlucky not to win a penalty.

Keown admitted that he enjoyed watching the midfielder in action.

The Arsenal legend told BT Sport 2 (11:18pm, 11 March): “Ndombele is actually a much-improved player in this new-look Spurs team.

“Really interesting to see that player playing off the front.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Like many Spurs fans, I was waiting to see Ndombele play in a deeper role at the start of the season when he was being used predominantly as a number ten. However, I do not think we have seen the best of him since he has been moved to a deeper role.

While the midfielder is seeing more of the ball, he is now having to take fewer risks due to the danger of losing possession in a dangerous area. When he was playing in a more advanced role, he had more freedom to take players on in one vs one situation which seemed to bring the best out of him.

Keep up to date with all the latest Tottenham news and opinion by following SpursWeb’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Related Topics

Have something to tell us about this article? Let us know