Jose Mourinho says Tottenham's Tanguy Ndombele had to change
Tanguy Ndombele was out of favour under Jose Mourinho last term but is one of Tottenham's star performers this season; Watch Sheffield United vs Tottenham on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event from 1pm on Sunday; kick-off 2pm
Tanguy Ndombele's form has undergone a resurgence at Tottenham this season because the midfielder "realised he had to change", according to Jose Mourinho.
Many eyes will be on the Tottenham bench away at Sheffield United on Sunday, live on
Sky Sports Premier League, to see if there is a place for Dele Alli, with much being made of his lack of first-team involvement this season.
A year ago, there was similar intrigue surrounding Ndombele's absence from the team.
The combative France international midfielder endured spells on the sidelines because of injuries last term but he was also heavily criticised by Mourinho for lacklustre displays, following his arrival from Lyon for £54m in July 2019.
Now though, he is transformed. The 24-year-old has scored as many goals (two) and created as many chances (12) so far this season as he did during the whole of last season, and he is a regular starter in Mourinho's first XI.
Only Hugo Lloris, Harry Kane, Heung-Min Son, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Eric Dier have started more matches for Tottenham in the Premier League so far this season.
Mourinho believes Ndombele's turnaround demonstrates what can be achieved if a player has the desire to "work in a different way".
"I always say, and I've really felt it all through my career, that the big responsibility for good and for bad is [with] the player," Mourinho said in an exclusive interview with
Sky Sports News when asked about his role and personal pride in Ndombele's revival.
"We don't make miracles. We don't make players when they have no quality and when they have no desire and no discipline and no motivation. So for good or bad, it's always the player's responsibility and we are the ones who can try to help.
"Sometimes they are open for that and other times they are not. When they are not, there is nothing you can do, but when they are open, you feel that motivation to help them.
"When Tanguy arrived here his condition was not good. When I arrived he was getting small injury after small injury which I believe was his responsibility.
"And for him to realise that he had to change, and work in a different way, is to his credit. Yes, he is playing and playing well. We are happy with him. But, I repeat, it's total credit to Tanguy."
https://www.skysports.com/football/...says-tottenhams-tanguy-ndombele-had-to-change