according to Football.London, Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Tangi Ndombele is reportedly struggling to break into Luciano Spalletti’s matchday squad. He is understood to have been on loan at Napoli for a year after failing to make a permanent exit in the summer transfer window, but has not got off to a good start for the Italian side after failing to secure a regular seat.
Ndombele’s performance in the league
Ndombele was loaned to Olympique Lyon in the January transfer window after dropping in north London earlier this year. After making just 11 appearances for the French side last season, he managed to contribute two assists before returning to Tottenham and asking for a permanent exit. At Napoli, he made just six appearances and scored once, as he often came on as a late substitute.
The Langjumo-born talent tried to make the most of his appearances last season, averaging 0.5 shots, 0.8 key passes, 1.5 dribbles and 2.3 tackles per game in Ligue 1. But failed to achieve impressive numbers in Serie A so far.However, after he completed 89.2% of his pass attempts in the French top flight, his ball distribution was impressive and has continued to do so this season as he also has 91.5% in the Italian top flight. Pass completion rate (data from score).
Should Conte call him back to Tottenham?
Ndombele is a defensive powerhouse; he doesn’t mind putting his foot on the tackle and can make some clever interceptions to win the ball back for his team. He does a great job of holding the ball and distributing it to his teammates.
Despite being such a good player, he has dropped in the rankings under Antonio Conte, which has seen him go out on loan again in the last transfer window and again this summer. Conte doesn’t want to take advantage of him in the next campaign because he thinks his need for the white lily is superfluous. However, the Italian tactician could not sanction his permanent exit as he could only be loaned to Napoli, but given his recent struggles, it would be better if he was recalled to north London and sold in the January transfer window.
As for Ndombele, leaving north London appears to be the only viable option for him if he wants to revive his career, but any top club requires him to be at his peak because at 25 he certainly has a lot of time to improve, But he needs to show impressive performances in training and earn a place for any club that accepts him.