Pundit urges Spurs to sell 23-year-old if they wish to challenge for the title

Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur cannot challenge the likes of Liverpool with players like Tanguy Ndombele in the side, who do not put in the required shift for the team.

There has been plenty written over the last few days about the rumoured fall out between Jose Mourinho and Ndombele, with The Athletic claiming that the Spurs boss is not happy with the midfielder’s efforts in training.

There have also been reports suggesting that Tottenham are looking to move the Frenchman on just a season after they smashed their transfer record to bring him to North London from Lyon (L’Equipe).

However, there have also been contradictory reports that have denied claims that Ndombele and Mourinho do not see eye to eye and suggested that the Tottenham head coach wants to keep the France international at the club (Mundo Deportivo via Sport Witness).

Whelan believes that the 23-year-old has not shown any signs so far that he is adapting to the Premier League and suggested that Spurs need workhorses in midfield like Liverpool have if they are capable of building a team to challenge for the Premier League title.

Speaking about Ndombele, the pundit told Football Insider: “Look, I don’t like these sort of players, they need to be sold. He’s done nothing since he came to Tottenham, quite frankly.

“He had that debut where he scored a goal but after that, clearly, he doesn’t have the work rate that Jose Mourinho or the Premier League demands to become a special player.

“It’s different in France when you’re playing there, it’s a different style and different pace – not as good players there so you can stand out.

“Does he stand out in the Tottenham side in every game that he plays? Not really.

“There’s certain things that you demand and the first thing you look for is character and can you fit into a squad?

“You’ve just gone and seen Liverpool win the championship with a tight-knit group, they’re all friends, they all work hard, in the midfield area there’s not one that doesn’t put themselves about.

“Now he’s shown he can’t do that and with those sort of players in the side, you’re not going to challenge for the Premier League title.”

Spurs Web Opinion

While Ndombele’s talent is there for all to see, I have been left appalled by how apocalyptic some Spurs have become that the midfielder was not used by Jose in our first two games back since the restart, despite the fact that we have picked up four points.

The midfielder has not done anywhere enough since arriving at Spurs to justify the sort of love he is getting from the fan base. I trust in the judgement of Jose and our coaching staff, who get to watch him train regularly, over some fans on social media who think they know more than a manager who has won everything there is to win in the game.

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