- Jun 29, 2003
- 35,111
- 17,813
- Staff
- #1
Currently, there’s a video being shared online which – let’s say – doesn’t exactly flatter Tanguy Ndombele.
Source: Four Four Two
Source: Four Four Two
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.
I think ‘ketchup’.Tom "Burger van" Huddlestone for example.
Speaking as a 42 year old Dad I’m actually the one offended by the comparison. Come on Tanguy!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.
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.
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.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...
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 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.