Alan Hutton has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur made the right move by loaning Tanguy Ndombele out in January as the midfielder was not a good fit for Antonio Conte’s set-up.
Ndombele returned to Lyon on loan on transfer deadline day, with the Ligue 1 club having the option to make the deal permanent for £54m (Sky Sports).
The Frenchman struggled to get minutes under his belt after Conte’s appointment at Spurs in November, with reports indicating that the Italian had issues with the 25-year-old’s attitude and his work ethic (The Athletic).
The midfielder admitted that he lost ‘his taste for football’ during his two and a half years at Spurs and he hopes to rediscover his form at his old stomping ground (Telefoot).
Hutton has insisted that Tottenham’s decision to loan Ndombele back to Lyon was a good move for all parties involved as the midfielder did not have a future under Conte.
The former Spurs right-back told Football Insider about Ndombele’s loan move: “I think it’s the best they could have done in a bad situation. Conte isn’t the type of guy who wants players that aren’t playing at 110 per cent anywhere near the squad.
“Ndombele seems that type of character. He’s a free spirit and wants to do his own thing. Conte couldn’t stand hat. He has spoken about him publicly in those terms. If they can get as much money back as possible, that would be a good deal for Tottenham.
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“We’ve seen flashes of brilliance from him but it’s not worked out. It makes sense for him to go back where he’s more comfortable. Hopefully, they take him on at the end of the season and Spurs get the money back that they paid for him.”
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I think Spurs would have preferred to loan Ndombele to PSG over Lyon as Mauricio Pochettino’s side are one of the few clubs outside the Premier League that could afford to match the Frenchman’s salary.
I do not think there is any chance of Lyon taking up the £54m option to sign the midfielder permanently in the summer. Even if Spurs offer Ndombele on a cut-price deal to Lyon, the 25-year-old would likely have to take a substantial wage cut to seal a permanent return to the Groupama Stadium.
Tottenham will be hoping that Ndombele does well during his loan spell at Lyon and that PSG would reignite their interest in the player during the summer transfer window.
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