Antonio Conte did not shy away from giving his thoughts about Tanguy Ndombele following Tottenham’s 3-1 FA Cup win over Morecambe.
The 25-year-old Frenchman has not impressed in North London this season and he has hardly featured since the Italian coach took over the job before Christmas. He started in the match against Morecambe today but was taken off after 69 minutes, failing to particularly stand out.
Speaking in a press conference after the match, Conte discussed Ndombele and his performance.
“I was so focused on the pitch and in football you have to be good to try to change opinions if someone is disappointed with you.
“It happened to me as well as a player with someone being disappointed in my performance.”
“I think during the game you have to try the best solution to find something, especially I’m seeing that we are losing 1-0 and you have to try to change something.
“Especially when you have on the bench, players of top level. I decided to give a bit of a rest to Lucas and Kane, but if you can change the situation and you have this type of player.”
The 25-year-old Ndombele was clearly not thrilled to be taken off, trudging down the tunnel instead of joining his teammates on the bench. He has been linked with a move to Roma in this month’s transfer window, although the Giallorossi would only be open to a loan deal rather than a definitive purchase.
Contracted to Tottenham until 2025, the French midfielder cost the North London club €60m back in the summer of 2019 but so far he has failed to live up to this price tag.
Conte on Dier and Reguilon missing out: "Eric Dier, yeah [an injury], but I hope nothing serious and Sergio Reguilon, he was a bit tired and we preferred not to use him." https://t.co/kekxnTPVTj
— Alasdair Gold (@AlasdairGold) January 9, 2022
Who cares?
Junk player from the EPL, Mou will grab him, no problem.