Tanguy Ndombele has been an important part of the Tottenham machine so far this season after enjoying somewhat of a renaissance under Jose Mourinho.
However, the Frenchman was nowhere to be seen when Spurs travelled to Stoke in midweek for the Carabao Cup quarter-final clash.
The Lilywhites eventually ran away 3-1 winners on the night, thus qualifying for the semi-finals of the competition.
Dele Alli filled the creative number ten role before being replaced by Erik Lamela for the final half an hour or so.
With Lo Celso out injured, Ndombele’s lack of presence on the bench against Stoke may have been alarming for some Spurs fans. However, Mourinho has now put any worries to bed.
The Spurs head coach revealed that it was his decision to leave Ndombele at home, while adding that he remains fit and ready to play. It was simply a case of only being able to name seven substitutes.
Mourinho said (Yahoo): “Tanguy is fit but he didn’t come to Stoke. My decision, but he is fit.
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“I was with seven guys on the bench and then one day I could have nine and then the next day I could have seven in the Carabao Cup.
“If I could (have) nine he would have been at Stoke, but I could only have seven. If I had him I couldn’t have had Dele or other players. So I left some players behind. I left (Steven) Bergwijn, Tanguy, Serge Aurier.”
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