Tottenham’s Jose Mourinho singles out Tanguy Ndombele for criticism after Burnley draw

Midfielder made little impact in Saturday’s Premier League game at Turf Moor

Tanguy Ndombele is back from a hip injury (Getty Images)

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho singled out the club’s record £54 million midfielder Tanguy Ndombele for some stinging criticism after substituting him at half-time in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Burnley.

Last summer’s signing from Lyon made little impact in the opening 45 minutes as Burnley dominated the midfield, and he was part of a double change at the break with Spurs trailing to a Chris Wood goal.

The introduction of Giovani Lo Celso and Lucas Moura at the interval for Ndombele and 19-year-old Oliver Skipp saw Spurs deliver a much-improved performance and earn a point thanks to a Dele Alli penalty.

While praising his team’s transformation at the break, Mourinho did not hide his frustration with Ndombele.

“In the first half we didn’t have a midfield,” said the Portuguese.

“Of course I’m not speaking of Skipp, because he’s a kid of 19 who’s played two hours in the last few days. I don’t criticise him at all.

“But I’m not going to run away and I have to say he [Ndombele] has had enough time to come to a different level.

“I know the Premier League is difficult and some players take a long time to adapt to a different league. But a player with his potential has to give us more than he is giving us, especially when you see how Lucas, Lo Celso and those players are playing. I was expecting more in the first half from him.”

Mourinho suggested the 23-year-old might find it hard to return to the starting line-up.

“Many fantastic players in their first season in a new country, for different reasons they struggle,” he added.

“There have been many examples of that. He’s a player with great talent. He has to know he has to do much better and know I cannot keep giving him opportunities to play because the team is much more important.”

Reuters