Jose Mourinho downplayed rumours of a relationship-ending row between him and Tanguy Ndombele after Tuesday’s 2-0 win over West Ham.
The Ndombele propaganda machine in France greeted the final whistle with a story broken by Julien Maynard of media outlet Telefoot, claiming that all communication had been ended between player and manager after Ndombele met with Mourinho to tell him he doesn’t want to work with him.
As Football London detailed from Jose’s post-match press conference, the Portuguese described the reports from across the channel as “nothing”, insisting that Ndombele’s non-selection was due to tactical reasons.
But Mourinho did not deny that a meeting between the two took place, and The Athletic now claims to have a true understanding of what went down.
According to their source close to the situation, Ndombele did speak to Mourinho privately to reaffirm that he was fit to play after being left out against Manchester United but the conversation was not confrontational.
So not the big bust-up that the French press was playing it up to be.
MORE: “Distinct Lack Of Effort In Training” – Dressing Room Sources On Ndombele
MORE: Let’s Not Always Make The Story About Tanguy Ndombele
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Yeah the difference with greavse was that he performed on match day. Amazing player. Messi is another one who doesnt give training his all. But again hes a beast on match day.. Ndombele is far from greaves and messi… He can’t get in the team. When we have seen him he jogs and wallies around. We are only talking about his training because of his rubbish match day performances.
Wow, 2020 is certainly far more puritanical than the 1950s. Jimmy Greaves was one notorious for “a distinct lack of effort in training”. From memory, it didn’t hold him back and was just humorously treated as an endearing quirk. With Ndombele it seems to be treated as a cardinal sin. What about a gentle word in the ears of some Spurs players who leave all their best work on the training pitch?
Wow Stamford Bridge has never sounded noisier