Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho has said “there is nothing” in reports from France on Tuesday evening that he has had a fresh row with Tanguy Ndombele.
The big-money midfielder is yet to play a single minute since the Premier League’s resumption as yet again he was an unused substitute in the 2-0 win over West Ham.
Journalist Julien Maynard of French publication Telefoot tweeted within minutes of the final whistle that Ndombele has told Mourinho this week that he does not want to work with him anymore, and that communication between the pair has ceased.
As per Alasdair Gold of Football London, Mourinho was questioned about that report in his post-match press conference and insisted his none selection of Ndombele thus far was merely a tactical decision.
Football London quotes Jose as saying: “No. There is nothing. I try to do the best for my team. I can’t start with 12 or 13 players sometimes I apologise to the ones I cannot pick.
“You know, it’s not just him. I try to do the best for my team. I cannot start the game with 12 or 13 players, I try to do the best for the team. Sometimes I apologise to my players that are not my first choice because I feel their work in training deserves something more than I give but I have to do my job the best I can and I felt for these two matches I didn’t need him.”
I would like to have seen an Ndombele cameo in either of the two games since the restart, but only really to shut down this kind of narrative, to suggest some form of working relationship to move forward with.
At 0-0 tonight with an hour gone, I thought the 23-year-old might get a go but then we took the lead shortly after. I honestly can’t say that in either game so far we’ve needed what we’ve seen from Ndombele so far.
That doesn’t mean I believe Mourinho’s explanation, though…
MORE:Harry Kane Goal vs. West Ham – Take That Paul Merson | Video
MORE: “Free Ndombele” – Spurs Fans Find Something To Moan About From Exciting Mourinho Team
MORE: “99 Too Many”, “Don’t Care” – Spurs Fans Brutal In Reaction To Appearance Milestone
Ndombele will get his chance. I hope hes watching and learning. If he can match his skill with somebody like Sissokos work rate he will be a player for us.