Tanguy Ndombele is Tottenham’s record signing, and he also owns the distinction of being the club’s most important player.
Tottenham earned a valuable victory over Southampton on Saturday, but it was not the work of art that Spurs fans were craving. Fortunately for Mauricio Pochettino and his staff, Tanguy Ndombele came through with a massive performance in the midfield to lead his team to victory.
Expectations for Ndombele were always going to be high. Tottenham don’t splash massive transfer fees with the same voracity as many of their Premier League peers. The fact that Pochettino convinced Daniel Levy to splash £60 million on the young Frenchman (per The Independent) made it clear that Spurs had big plans for him.
That doesn’t mean Tottenham officials expected him to become the club’s most important player this season. However, that’s just what has happened in North London. Ndombele’s presence in the midfield is now an absolute requirement if Spurs want to play their best football.
A closer look at Pochettino’s preferred midfield reveals why Ndombele is such a bellwether for Tottenham. Moussa Sissoko has become a cult hero among many Spurs fans, but he is still a fairly limited player. He excels at defending the back four and carrying the ball forward with intense runs. His quality in the final third, however, is non-existent. His inability to score goals has become laughable for fans all across Europe.
Harry Winks is another fan favourite, but he’s not developed the ability to contribute heavily in the final third at this stage of his career. He is a capable tackler, but it’s his passing ability that really appeals to Pochettino. Winks’ job in the midfield is to keep the ball moving when Spurs’ attack begins to bog down.
It’s Ndombele’s ability to do everything in the midfield that both sets him apart from his teammates and allows him to tie Pochettino’s lineup together. He isn’t as good defensively as Sissoko, but he’s just as capable as Winks when he’s forced to get back and shield his own goal.
When he’s freed to go forward and join his front line in the attack is when Ndombele really starts to shine. He’s already found the back of the net twice in Premier League play this season, but his creativity goes well beyond his ability to score goals.
When you watch him play it’s clear that Ndombele is confident enough to try passes that most players can’t dream of competing. His little flicks and tricks near the box cause opposing centre backs nightmares. The Frenchman’s presence in the midfield turns the group into a legitimate goal scoring and assist threat. The group just doesn’t have that same quality or verve without him on the pitch.
Tanguy Ndombele hasn’t been at Tottenham for a long time, but he’s already a vital piece of the puzzle for Spurs. Don’t be surprised if he develops into one of the best midfielders in the Premier League before the 2019/20 season concludes. He is that talented and Tottenham play a perfect system to showcase his prodigious skills.