Tanguy Ndombele was plunged into a different role against West Brom, but of course, it felt as if few fans online had grasped that there would be a noted difference to his game as he went from attacking midfielder to Right-Sided Defensive Midfield.
What we did get was a solid performance from the Frenchman, which included a 90% passing accuracy, and a 74% total successful actions. Both of which showed modest improvements on the 24-year-old’s mean average in both disciplines.
We saw the odd flash of the attacking initiative, but this wasn’t Tanguy’s job for this game. As it happens, I believe Mourinho got it right, and Lamela and Moura were more effective against this West Brom side that rarely got out of its own half.
Pictures courtesy of Sky Italia
2 big games coming up. Ndombele has made great strides this season, but he has to start mixing it with the better teams now. It’s ok playing well v WBA and Sheff Utd but I want him running the show against the Leicester’s of this world, and I count Everton in that bracket. City are a different proposition all together, no one has got near them for months. A backs to the wall, park the bus, get behind the pump, typical Mourinho display might be called for.
🎼Buffalo soldier
N dom baller
Can cover all area
Rude bwoy ruler.
Tanguy really is a special midfield player, harness it and boom!
Constantly playing Tangy in behind the striker might have been down to Jose not trusting him deeper but I found the persistence wth it, given the level of recent performances from the team really quite bizarre. Especially when you sacrifice a spot for another attack focused player in order to find a place for Sissoko. Who really should be used in rotation or as an option when needed, he offers nothing creatively whatsoever.
PEH has the defensive duties in midfield covered, all Tangy needs to do is help out in that regard and then dictate play from deeper, something we have missed since Dembele and Modric before him…