Paulo Di Canio has claimed that Napoli manager Luciano Spelletti will have to perform a miracle to get the best out of Tanguy Ndombele.
Ndombele has started just two matches since completing a loan move to Naples this summer but he has been hooked at half-time in both those games (Transfermarkt).
The 25-year-old has come under criticism for his lacklustre displays at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium so far (Napoli Piu).
While it is still early days for Ndombele in Naples, the Frenchman will need to improve considerably if he hopes to convince the Italian club to take up the option to buy him permanently for £25m (The Times).
Di Canio has now said the on-loan Spurs midfielder is not prepared to put in the hard yards without the ball and claimed that the former Lyon man can only be used in a three-man midfield.
He insisted that Spelletti has his work cut out if he really wants to integrate Ndombele into the Napoli set-up.
The West Ham legend told Il Mattino (09/09/22 – as relayed by CalcioNapoli and Sport Witness): “I will just say if Spalletti performs a miracle with Ndombele, I’ll take my hat off to him and give him my compliments.
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“This lad is really not accustomed to sacrificing himself for the team with work when he’s off the ball. He is not a creative midfielder, at most he can play in a three-man midfield and cut inside behind the striker.
“I don’t expect Spalletti to get Ndombele to walk on water, but if he at least manages to get him swimming, it’d be an extraordinary success.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Ndombele’s spell at Naples has not started in the manner that the midfielder would have hoped.
However, he did not have a full pre-season with the Italian side and I believe we should give it around a month or two longer before judging his displays.
One thing is for sure – this is last chance saloon for Ndombele if he wishes to have a career at the top level.
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