Ndombele reveals how he responded to criticism from Mourinho

Tanguy Ndombele was famously on the receiving end of criticism from Jose Mourinho. The player reveals how he reacted to it all.

After an underwhelming start to his Spurs career, Ndombele believes he is on the right track for the club.

Spurs coughed out a club-record fee of £54 million ($70m) to bring the Frenchman to north London from Lyon in the summer of 2019.

Ndombele arrived at Tottenham with much reputation and expectations on his shoulders. However, he failed to live up to those high standards during his first season in the Premier League.

He found himself in and out of Mourinho’s line-up after the Portuguese was drafted in to replace Mauricio Pochettino in November, with his fitness levels considered to below par.

Mourinho publicly lashed out at Ndombele and there were even reports he could be on his way out of the club.

The 23-year-old stayed put at Spurs and has managed to turn things around.

Ndombele has started all six of Spurs’ Premier League games so far as they look to challenge for silverware this term.

The midfielder says he never had anything against Mourinho despite how it was painted by the media.

“His words didn’t hurt me. They didn’t necessarily motivate me either.” he told Sky Sports.

“It was just something that I assimilated and took on board. Of course, it’s not something that you like to hear, those sort of words, but that was last season and we are looking to the future.”

Ndombele also added that there was more to come from him.

“I don’t think we have seen the best of Tanguy Ndombele yet. I’m on the right track but there’s still more to come,” he continued.

“I feel better. That comes from playing consecutive matches. It’s good for a player to have a good rhythm like that and get into shape.

“Last year I didn’t have that so much. This year I do so it’s better for the team and it’s better for me.”