Harry Kane has said Tanguy Ndombele’s ability to play a “decisive pass in the final third” is something Tottenham have been missing in recent seasons.
Ndombele made the perfect start to his Spurs career over the weekend, providing an assist within two minutes of being introduced in the second half of Sunday’s friendly victory against Juventus.
The French midfielder intercepted the ball and put Lucas Moura through on goal with a pinpoint pass, resulting in plenty of plaudits for the debutant.
Not to be outdone, Kane provided the moment of the game with a stunning stoppage time winner from the halfway line – watch his teammates’ reaction on the bench here.
After the match, Kane spoke about Ndombele’s instant impact and revealed the unique trait the midfielder has already added to Tottenham’s midfield.
“He’s been great,” Kane said (via the London Evening Standard). “He intercepted that ball very well and put it through to Lucas. That’s a strength of his – playing that through ball, that forward pass.
“That’s something we’ve missed over the last year or so – that really decisive pass in the final third. He looks like he can do that. With any player who comes in, he’s still learning how we play and the way the manager wants him to play. But he’s working hard. That’s all we can ask for.”
It was certainly refreshing to see a Spurs midfielder play an incisive though-ball. As good as Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko were last season, they were rarely creative enough.
Ndombele will add balance, drive and passing ability to the starting line-up, which will be extra important if Christian Eriksen departs.
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