Ndombele deserves 'total credit' for Spurs resurgence, says Mourinho

Having initially struggled to adapt to life in north London, the Spurs record signing appears to have turned his career around.

Tanguy Ndombele “realized he had to change” after a subpar debut season at Tottenham, says Jose Mourinho.

Ndombele arrived at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the summer of 2019, with the north London side splashing €62 million to steal a player who had forged a reputation as an all-action midfielder at Lyon.

The change in the environment had a negative effect on the Frenchman as he struggled to live up to the expectations.

Unable to find his feet back, he was publicly criticized by Mourinho while his career at the club also came under serious threat last season.

Ndombele, however, has managed to become a regular starter for Spurs this season, featuring in 23 matches across all competitions already, after putting in extra efforts behind the scenes.

“I always say, and I’ve really felt it all through my career, that the big responsibility for good and for bad is [with] the player,” Mourinho told Sky Sports.

“When Tanguy arrived here his condition was not good. When I arrived he was getting small injury after small injury which I believe was his responsibility.

“And for him to realize that he had to change, and work in a different way, is to his credit. Yes, he is playing and playing well. We are happy with him. But, I repeat, it’s total credit to Tanguy.”