Why Ndombele could be a bigger problem than Spurs realised

[mawspurs]

Currently, there’s a video being shared online which – let’s say – doesn’t exactly flatter Tanguy Ndombele.

Source: Four Four Two

 

[tcyrus]

don't think he's one for the trenches

 

[Japhet]

That's a decent article. If he thinks he's going to get away with episodes like that one v Wolves, he needs to have a serious rethink because things can turn nasty very quickly. He's a prodigious talent but flashes of that won't spare him if he continues to act like he doesn't give a toss about the people (fans) who pay his enormous wages. Hopefully he'll grow up quickly and reaise he's here to do a job.

 

[Dougal]

This video has its pros and cons. It can be the kick up the arse he needs but it may also have tainted him forever. Football fans love to tag players with a reputation that sticks throughout their career. Unless NDombele becomes a top top player this 20 seconds will follow him around and probably define his Spurs career at least, despite the amazing promise we have already glimpsed from him. It’s all or nothing now.

 

[olliec]

Fans will turn on him very soon because this has literally gone viral. Like the poster above said if he doesn’t sort his stinking attitude out and get rid of his 40 year old dad body the fans will switch.

 

[Deleted member 27995]

Paying all that money as a season ticket holder or a day tripper to watch your clubs most expensive signing do that on a football pitch.

I'd be livid.

 

[Hakkz]

This video has its pros and cons. It can be the kick up the arse he needs but it may also have tainted him forever. Football fans love to tag players with a reputation that sticks throughout their career. Unless NDombele becomes a top top player this 20 seconds will follow him around and probably define his Spurs career at least, despite the amazing promise we have already glimpsed from him. It’s all or nothing now.

Tom "Burger van" Huddlestone for example.

 

[Dougal]

Tom "Burger van" Huddlestone for example.

I think ‘ketchup’.

 

[Dougal]

Fans will turn on him very soon because this has literally gone viral. Like the poster above said if he doesn’t sort his stinking attitude out and get rid of his 40 year old dad body the fans will switch.

Speaking as a 42 year old Dad I’m actually the one offended by the comparison. Come on Tanguy!

 

[WalkerboyUK]

The most annoying thing about that clip is that he only played 14 minutes!!!
If he's blown himself out physically within minutes then he'll never make it as a top flight player in England.
Said it when he started the season completely out of shape, and I'll say it again now - will be sold in the summer...

 

[Typical Spurs]

I'm glad it's gone viral. Absolutely zero excuses for lack of effort.

He should've been busting a gut to help his midfield mate in Winksy who'd just been done twice.

 

[davidmatzdorf]

I haven't written anything about it here yet, because I thought it premature, but this article sums up a lot of the concerns I've been having about Ndombele since he arrived. I'm always going on about us needing to give players new to English football a year to get accustomed, but it seems to be a different issue with Ndombele. More about focus than fitness, more about desire than pace.

However, I've also been wondering if there is something physical behind the mental reluctance. Some footballers have the vision, the footballing brain, but their body type won't let them fully realise their apparent potential. Fans tend to blame their eating habits or laziness. But in some cases, it's just that they aren't naturally athletic - they are the opposite of Kyle Walker or Jermaine Jenas - and there is only so far they can condition themselves, before injuries and stress start to hamper their progress.

Examples include, at varying levels of accomplishment, Juan Roman Riquelme, Andy Reid and Mido. Up to a certain level, they can use their vision and creativity to overcome their lack of physical sharpness, but once the pace and fierceness of the game gets above that level, all the speed of thought in the world won't get the ball where they want it to go.

Ndombele looks like a fine physical specimen - until he starts to run. Then he just looks ungainly, unless he has the ball at his feet. I guess we can only wait and see what Mourinho and the coaches can do with him.

 

[Tucker]

It’s not looking good for him imo, this isn’t the only time I’ve seen him act like this when pretending to track back. I can’t honestly believe that this is the guy Pochettino was so desperate to sign, he’s lazy, unfit and the very antithesis of a Poch player, let alone a Mourinho player.

He’s clearly got bags of talent, but that’s going to account to fuck all of he doesn’t pull his finger out and work hard.

 

[@Bobby__Lucky]

I haven't written anything about it here yet, because I thought it premature, but this article sums up a lot of the concerns I've been having about Ndombele since he arrived. I'm always going on about us needing to give players new to English football a year to get accustomed, but it seems to be a different issue with Ndombele. More about focus than fitness, more about desire than pace.

However, I've also been wondering if there is something physical behind the mental reluctance. Some footballers have the vision, the footballing brain, but their body type won't let them fully realise their apparent potential. Fans tend to blame their eating habits or laziness. But in some cases, it's just that they aren't naturally athletic - they are the opposite of Kyle Walker or Jermaine Jenas - and there is only so far they can condition themselves, before injuries and stress start to hamper their progress.

Examples include, at varying levels of accomplishment, Juan Roman Riquelme, Andy Reid and Mido. Up to a certain level, they can use their vision and creativity to overcome their lack of physical sharpness, but once the pace and fierceness of the game gets above that level, all the speed of thought in the world won't get the ball where they want it to go.

Ndombele looks like a fine physical specimen - until he starts to run. Then he just looks ungainly, unless he has the ball at his feet. I guess we can only wait and see what Mourinho and the coaches can do with him.

I think you make a lot of good points here. I don't know who is old enough to remember but Carl Hoddle, Glenn's brother also came through our academy and by all accounts was highly skilled, but his body wasn't suited to football and lacked serious mobility. Never came through and struggled even in the lower leagues.

 

[UncleBuck]

The most annoying thing about that clip is that he only played 14 minutes!!!
If he's blown himself out physically within minutes then he'll never make it as a top flight player in England.
Said it when he started the season completely out of shape, and I'll say it again now - will be sold in the summer...

The odd touch of magic has been shown by Tanguy but for £60 odd million it's been a pretty abject first season from him. We all know players need time to adjust but as mentioned that video clip does absolutely nothing to support him and only strengthens the argument that he's either lazy, unfit or just can't be arsed.
If Jose did decide to cut his losses though who on earth would look to buy him going on his record this season and how much would we realistically get back for him?

 

[Japhet]

I haven't written anything about it here yet, because I thought it premature, but this article sums up a lot of the concerns I've been having about Ndombele since he arrived. I'm always going on about us needing to give players new to English football a year to get accustomed, but it seems to be a different issue with Ndombele. More about focus than fitness, more about desire than pace.

However, I've also been wondering if there is something physical behind the mental reluctance. Some footballers have the vision, the footballing brain, but their body type won't let them fully realise their apparent potential. Fans tend to blame their eating habits or laziness. But in some cases, it's just that they aren't naturally athletic - they are the opposite of Kyle Walker or Jermaine Jenas - and there is only so far they can condition themselves, before injuries and stress start to hamper their progress.

Examples include, at varying levels of accomplishment, Juan Roman Riquelme, Andy Reid and Mido. Up to a certain level, they can use their vision and creativity to overcome their lack of physical sharpness, but once the pace and fierceness of the game gets above that level, all the speed of thought in the world won't get the ball where they want it to go.

Ndombele looks like a fine physical specimen - until he starts to run. Then he just looks ungainly, unless he has the ball at his feet. I guess we can only wait and see what Mourinho and the coaches can do with him.

That's all well and good, but in the clip of Ndombele v Wolves he'd only been on a few minutes and showed no willingness whatsoever to tackle, or even try to tackle Nietto. He just jogged about getting in the way more than anything. I'm all for giving him a chance but that was pure laziness and shite attitude. He needs to shape up pretty damn quick now before he ruins his career and becomes a figure of derision, not just from our fans, but across the whole game.

 

[adamsky]

That video showed me that it is attitude, more than anything else, that is the issue. I hope he sees the video and has that light switch moment to see what is required. I don’t buy the fitness problem after 14 minutes.

 

[PLTuck]

I haven't written anything about it here yet, because I thought it premature, but this article sums up a lot of the concerns I've been having about Ndombele since he arrived. I'm always going on about us needing to give players new to English football a year to get accustomed, but it seems to be a different issue with Ndombele. More about focus than fitness, more about desire than pace.

However, I've also been wondering if there is something physical behind the mental reluctance. Some footballers have the vision, the footballing brain, but their body type won't let them fully realise their apparent potential. Fans tend to blame their eating habits or laziness. But in some cases, it's just that they aren't naturally athletic - they are the opposite of Kyle Walker or Jermaine Jenas - and there is only so far they can condition themselves, before injuries and stress start to hamper their progress.

Examples include, at varying levels of accomplishment, Juan Roman Riquelme, Andy Reid and Mido. Up to a certain level, they can use their vision and creativity to overcome their lack of physical sharpness, but once the pace and fierceness of the game gets above that level, all the speed of thought in the world won't get the ball where they want it to go.

Ndombele looks like a fine physical specimen - until he starts to run. Then he just looks ungainly, unless he has the ball at his feet. I guess we can only wait and see what Mourinho and the coaches can do with him.

Theres an article in the player thread where his coach from when he was 17 says he was a kid with the body of a 30 year old. And when he stops training / playing his body fails him. As you say, this is simply just due to his body type. Nothing to do with eating burgers. He has to work harder than some others to stay in shape.

 

[Johnny J]

You can't hide as a PL footballer. Plenty of players in the PL have nowhere near as much talent as Ndombele but have a good attitude and work hard.

If Ndombele has what it takes to be a top footballer, this video will drive him to turn things around. If he doesn't, he's finished with us.

 

[bsinghd]

We signed this plumper for £63m and Man City signed Rodri for about the same amount. Do our scouting team only watch YouTube videos!