Declan Rice has stated that Tanguy Ndombele is ‘one of the toughest I have played against’ and added that the perception of the Tottenham midfielder is wrong, as the West Ham captain told Tubes and Ange’s Golf Life.
The West Ham United midfielder was reacting to how Ndombele gets ‘slammed and hammered’ but he labelled the out-of-favour Tottenham star as a ‘street footballer’, who should have the ‘freedom’ to play as he wishes because he is that good.
Back in 2019, Spurs paid Lyon a club-record fee of £54 million (BBC Sport) for Ndombele’s talents, but the Frenchman struggled under Mauricio Pochettino’s stewardship, even though he scored on debut against Aston Villa.
That’s when Jose Mourinho arrived, and whilst he loved what Ndombele was doing with the ball, he just wasn’t having his lack of action and work without it, and as a result, the midfielder was heavily criticised.
When Antonio Conte entered the building, it only took him a few weeks before he was sending the club’s big-money signing on loan to Lyon during the January transfer window and now it seems as though he has no future in north London.
This despite Rice speaking highly of the ‘incredible’ player and how tough he has found it when coming up against Ndombele in his West Ham colours.
“This one will surprise you,” said Rice. “He gets slammed and hammered a little bit. It’s going to take you back, but Ndombele, who was Spurs.
“The perception of him, it shouldn’t be what it is because I tell you now, he is one of the toughest I have played against.
“He is top. Just a street footballer on the pitch. He takes the ball anywhere, little flicks and tricks. Like he doesn’t care. He does everything so confidently.
“With players like that, you just have to let them play. Give them the freedom to go out and do whatever they want. When we played against Lyon in the Europa League, he was incredible. He’s a top player.”
NDOMBELE’S TOTTENHAM FUTURE
Throughout football history, one thing that has been a common theme has been mavericks struggling to find a regular place in the game.
Whether it’s Glenn Hoddle playing ahead of his time back in the 80s or Dimitar Berbatov in recent times, players with absolute magic at their feet can be sensational when running at the opposition.
But if they aren’t pressing quickly or aggressively enough, then that can be enough to see them sitting on the bench or heading for the exit door.
Ndombele has had fitness issues during his time at Spurs, but when two managers of Mourinho and Conte’s ilk are looking to part ways with you, then it does say a lot, despite Rice’s interesting observations of the player.
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