Report: Ange Postecoglou was desperate to offload Tottenham midfield outcast this summer

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou was desperate to offload Tanguy Ndombele this summer

Tottenham Hotspur’s relationship with Tanguy Ndombele has been nothing short of tumultuous since the Frenchman’s club-record arrival in 2019. Despite flashes of brilliance, Ndombele struggled to cement his place in the team.

This summer, as the dawn of a new era under manager Ange Postecoglou approached, fans and pundits alike wondered if Ndombele would finally find redemption in a Spurs shirt. However, transfer insider Dean Jones recently shed light on the behind-the-scenes drama that culminated in Ndombele’s departure.

Ndombele’s arrival from Lyon in 2019 was met with high expectations. A club-record fee of £63 million signified Tottenham’s belief in his talent, but the reality was a far cry from the promise that was shown.

Under various managers, including Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho, and Ryan Mason, Tanguy Ndombele struggled to find his rhythm. Spurs fans had glimpses of his immense potential, but they were often overshadowed by inconsistency.

Last season, Ndombele embarked on a loan adventure to Napoli in Serie A. The move raised hopes that he might resurrect his Tottenham career upon his return. However, despite helping Napoli secure the league title, the Italian club opted not to make the deal permanent.

Back in North London, Ndombele found himself at a crossroads. Ange Postecoglou’s arrival signalled a fresh start for the talented but enigmatic midfielder. The Australian manager was known for his tactical acumen and commitment to nurturing young talents, and many believed he could be the catalyst for Ndombele’s transformation.

Jones explained,

“The Ndombele situation has been very strange. He should be one of the Premier League’s top midfielders, but he’s never managed to grasp the opportunities. In the end, I am told that Tottenham were desperate to get him out the door. He was given another fresh opportunity this summer by Ange Postecoglou to prove his worth and show he could have a future at the club, but he didn’t impress and they just didn’t have room for passengers, so he had to be moved on.”

The saga finally concluded with Ndombele completing a loan move to Turkish giants Galatasaray. The Istanbul-based club has an option to make the deal permanent next summer, a prospect that now hinges on Ndombele’s ability to rediscover his form and confidence.

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• Fabrizio Romano confirms that Tottenham are about to ship out Tanguy Ndombele

Ndombele’s time at Tottenham was marked by unrealized potential. Hailed as one of French football’s brightest prospects, he struggled to adapt fully to the rigours of the Premier League. His graceful dribbling and ability to pick out incisive passes were evident on occasions, but they were overshadowed by spells of inconsistency. Let’s see if a spell in Turkey changes him for the good.