In 2019, Tottenham Hotspur made a record signing when they spent £63-million for Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Tanguy Ndombele. Fast forward two and half years, and the 25-year-old is returning to Lyon on a loan deal after failing to live up to the transfer fee for the north London club.
Ndombele arrives on a loan deal with a fee of €1.42 million, accompanied by a purchase option. Sky Sports News’ Paul Gilmour summed up the failed move to north London, which he began by saying that it was a move filled with promise.
“It was a partnership that was once so full of promise. Tottenham fans rejoiced on the 2 July 2019 as a club-record signing announcement was made,” Gilmour said.
“Ndombele was to be the answer in a midfield with a large Mousa Dembele-shaped hole. It was an exciting signing and offered fresh hope that Daniel Levy was ready for a rebuild.
Gilmour highlighted a friendly caused some excitement for Ndombele’s arrival. However, he states that following the initial high, what followed would be regression and disappointment.
“His first touch was an assist in a friendly closely followed by his first Premier League goal, on debut against Aston Villa. It was as good as it got, despite glimpses of his talent in sporadic periods,” Gilmour wrote.
“What followed was not progress but disappointment and fast forward two and a half years, and four managers – five if we include interim Ryan Mason – Ndombele will soon depart without fulfilling his promise.”
Finally, Gilmour addressed the lowest point in Ndombele’s tenure with Tottenham, where former manager Jose Mourinho questioned his commitment to being a team player. The Portuguese tactician would be one of three managers with the Premier League side to get the most out of Ndombele.
“A particular low was being left out of the League Cup final by Mason while Jose Mourinho was publicly critical after a game at Burnley, questioning his commitment to being a team player. Mourinho worked hard with him, but any step forward was followed by two back,” Gilmour wrote.