Jose Mourinho has confirmed Tanguy Ndombele is fit enough to play for Tottenham against Chelsea after returning from a groin injury.
However, the Spurs boss hinted Ndombele has still not fully adapted to English football, suggesting he is unlikely to start in Sunday’s crunch London derby.
The midfielder arrived from Lyon in the summer for a club record fee. Despite scoring twice and impressing in bursts, he has struggled with injuries since arriving, barely featuring under Mourinho so far.
Ndombele has missed the last few games with a groin problem but returned to full training this week and will be in the squad against Chelsea.
Speaking in his Premier League press conference on Friday, Mourinho talked up the Frenchman’s versatility but suggested he may not be ready to start regularly.
Asked about his preferred role for Ndombele, Mourinho said (via Football London): “A multi-functional midfield player.”
He added: “Tanguy can play as a six, as an eight, as a double. He is a player with a lot of quality, he just needs to be physically strong and mentally adapted to the Premier League. The French league is a completely different story, a completely different profile. But [he is a] fantastic talent so we are happy that he can help us.”
With all of the above in mind, there is a good chance Eric Dier and Moussa Sissoko will start in central midfield once again on Sunday. Ndombele and Harry Winks will provide useful options from the bench.
[…] The Tottenham boss also had his say on Tanguy Ndombele’s fitness – read more about those quotes here. […]