Jose Mourinho running out of patience with Tanguy Ndombele after hooking record signing at half-time during Tottenham draw at Burnley
The £54 million (Dh259m) close-season signing from Lyon made little impact on the opening 45 minutes
March 8, 2020
Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho did not hold back in his criticism of club record signing Tanguy Ndombele and has demanded more from the midfielder after the 1-1 draw at Burnley on Saturday.
The £54 million (Dh259m) close-season signing from Lyon made little impact on the opening 45 minutes as Burnley dominated the midfield and was part of a double change at the break with Spurs trailing to a Chris Wood goal.
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The introduction of Giovani Lo Celso and Lucas Moura at the interval for Ndombele and 19-year-old Oliver Skipp saw Spurs deliver a much-improved performance and earn a point thanks to a Dele Alli penalty.
While praising his team's transformation at the break, Mourinho did not disguise his frustration with Ndombele.
"In the first half we didn’t have a midfield," said the Portuguese. "Of course I’m not speaking of Skipp because he’s a kid of 19 who’s 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 [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 suggested the 23-year-old France international might find it hard to return to the starting line-up.
"Many fantastic players in their first season, in a new country, for different reasons they struggle. There have been many examples of that," he said. "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."
Updated: March 8, 2020 10:01 AM
