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Jose Mourinho castigates record signing Tanguy Ndombele

Jose Mourinho has expressly criticised Tottenham's record signing Tanguy Ndombele partly for the ...



Jose Mourinho castigates recor...
Soccer

Jose Mourinho castigates record signing Tanguy Ndombele

Jose Mourinho has expressly criticised Tottenham's record signing Tanguy Ndombele partly for the team's indifferent form.

Ndombele was signed for £54m this summer from Lyon in a move that most believed would elevate Tottenham's midfield to the next level.

But, in a sign that Mourinho's patience has started to wane, the Portuguese has called on the Frenchman to improve his game.

"In the first half we didn't have a midfield," said Mourinho.

"Of course I'm not speaking of [Oliver] Skipp because he's a kid of 19 who has played two hours in the last few days. I don't criticise him at all.

"But I'm not going to run away and I have to say he [Ndombele] has had enough time to come to a different level.

"I know the Premier League is difficult, and some players take a long time to adapt to a different league.

"But a player with his potential has to give us more than he is giving us, especially when you see how Lucas, Lo Celso and those players are playing. I was expecting more in the first half from him."

Mourinho frustration

Mourinho added some clarification to his position, but the reality is that this is likely to mark a change in the manager's style as something more akin to what we saw at Manchester United.

"Many fantastic players in their first season, in a new country, for different reasons they struggle," Mourinho added.

"There have been many examples of that.

"He's a player with great talent. He has to know he has to do much better and know I cannot keep giving him opportunities to play because the team is much more important."

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