Noel Whelan has revealed his surprise that Nuno Espirito Santo subbed off Tanguy Ndombele for Oliver Skipp at the weekend.
Chelsea beat Tottenham 3-0 at the Tottenham Stadium which saw the Lilywhites suffer a second consecutive Premier League defeat.
Spurs have now hit a rough patch and one player who has recently returned to the starting XI is Ndombele.
The Frenchman struggled to play at the start of the season and was even tipped to leave the club in the last summer transfer window, but he remained at the club and has now featured in Spurs last two competitive matches.
The Lilywhites’ midfield play was helped by the presence of Ndombele, whose neat footwork and forward passes helped them to launch attacks at the Blues.
However, Nuno Santo eventually subbed him off and replaced him with the more defensive-minded Skipp.
Former Leeds man, Whelan didn’t like the change and said he was surprised at the decision when Spurs were looking to get something from the match.
Speaking to Football Insider about Ndombele, Whelan said: “Look, I have been very impressed by his professionalism over the last couple of weeks. We all know that he wanted to leave the club in the summer so it is commendable that he has knuckled down rather than sulk.
“It’s also testament to Nuno for starting him. He is a brilliant talent, he really is.
“How he plays and how he presents himself on the field is entirely up to himself and in the last two games I’ve been really impressed. There’s been some great touches in that midfield area.
“I was very surprised when he came off [against Chelsea]. That is no disrespect to Skipp but Ndombele is a class above him right now. Spurs needed to get back into the game and to do that you need your best players on the field, of which Ndombele is one.
“It was a strange decision and only Nuno will know the reasons behind that thinking.”
He was subbed as he needed time in an Oxygen Tent.
He has not played a match since last May or June what are you commenting about. Mason came in and sat him for his friends Dele and Winks. Please critiquing is a good thing, but Nuno did the right thing in protecting him. What is wrong you guys?
Maybe you not looking at the game correctly. He was substituted albeit the wrong choice, but this is his second game. Do you want to see him get hurt if he is not match fit. Whelan choice the wrong area to comment on just feeding into your frenzy. Locelso get injured a lot, and your overall question is real.
I find it baffling that an elite footballer, N’Dombele, a young man in the prime of his life can not play ninety minutes of football.
Is there some physical problem that we don’t know about? He’s had three years to get fit.
Lo Celso is another player that cannot play ninety minutes. Again this is just baffling.
It’s all been said about this guy, I said the same last season having seen enough to judge, the demands of the PL both physically and mentally are too much for him, he’s not going to make it, and that still applies.
I was surprised he lasted the hour! Ndom always looks tired and his languid demeanor should be labelled for what it really is, a total lack of fitness. He did want to go forward v Chelsea, just a shame he can’t manage it for more than 20 mins.
Funny thing is the chelsea fans on their forums say ndombele was the best player in the first half and some of them even are saying that chelsea should put in a cheeky bid in January for him. I agree he isnt fit enough, looks like he enjoys his food a bit too much
Agreed, and again Bruce relying on Noel Whelan of all people for his articles (twice today alone) : (
Totally agree. Bar a few tricks in bling alleys, he’s a waste of space.
So Whelan admitting he didn’t watch the match with this clueless punditry? Tanguy was puffing 20 mins into the first half let alone the second.