Pundit claims he ‘cannot see a way back’ for Spurs star under Nuno

Kevin Phillips has claimed that he cannot see a way back for Tanguy Ndombele after the midfielder reportedly made his desire to leave Tottenham clear this summer.

Multiple sources reported Ndombele had informed Nuno Espirito Santo that he wished to leave Tottenham during the summer.

The midfielder has not made the matchday squad for any of Spurs’ Premier League or Europa Conference League matches so far this season under the new head coach.

Fabio Paratici reportedly tried to engineer a swap move for the Frenchman in the final weeks of the transfer window, allegedly proposing exchange deals involving Bayern Munich’s Corentin Tolisso, Juventus’ Weston McKennie and Lyon’s Houssem Aouar.

However, Spurs were unable to move Ndombele on before the transfer window slammed shut.

It remains to be seen whether the midfielder will be reintegrated back into Nuno’s first-team plans but Phillips has insisted that he does not expect the 24-year-old to knuckle down and win back a place in the side.

When asked whether there is a way back for Ndombele at Spurs, the former Sunderland striker told Football Insider: “It’s a very difficult situation.

“He made it very clear that he wanted to leave the football club.

“Is he the sort of player who will now knuckle down and play? He has come back from criticism before but I think this is different. I cannot see a way back.

“It is difficult to win over the manager and the supporters when you have made it clear you want to leave.

“But at some point, he may have to play depending on injuries and suspensions. He will have to be professional. It is as simple as that.

“I get the impression that he is not going to push himself to really perform though. I think he will float about until January and then try and force a move again.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Now that he is set to stay at least until January, I am hoping that Ndombele will knuckle down and win Nuno over as his talent is there for all to see. However, based on his Spurs career so far, there is very little evidence that the 24-year-old is likely to do that.

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