French pundit Nicolas Puydebois has told OL Play – as per Jeunes Footeux – that Tanguy Ndombele has ran out of steam at Lyon, just halfway through his loan spell from Tottenham. Ndombele is on loan until the summer.
Ndombele, 25, was one of four midfielders to leave Tottenham in January. He returned to former club Lyon on loan with the option to buy for £54.5million (JF). He has since made six appearances for his loan club.
On Sunday, Ndombele could not prevent Lyon suffering a heavy 4-2 defeat to Rennes – the club that knocked Tottenham out of the Conference League. Indeed, Rennes were 4-0 up before 50 minutes, Lyon clawing two back.
Ndombele was one of many Lyon players to have underperformed, being substituted on 79 minutes by Peter Bosz. Ex-Lyon man Puydebois was critical, saying Ndombele has already “ran out of steam” back at Lyon.
“Tanguy Ndombélé. We will judge him in the long term. It is clear he had a very good first match but since then he has run out of steam. We see him less, he brings much less. I am a little disappointed by his contribution.”
Puydebois on Ndombele: Tottenham star deserves Lyon criticism
Ndombele sparkled in the first few weeks under Mauricio Pochettino but it is fair to say that since Pochettino was sacked, Ndombele has been unable to return to his brilliant best – the form he showed before Spurs, at Lyon.
The hope of returning him to Lyon might get the best out of him, but that is clearly not the case at the moment. It looks as if he is showing glimpses of magic, like he did at Tottenham, but miles off the consistency required.
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