Tanguy Ndombele played well for Tottenham Hotspur in midfield as they drew 2-2 with Norwich City on Saturday.
On the chalkboard
The France international was picked to start at Carrow Road despite manager Jose Mourinho suggesting that he asked not to be selected for the Boxing Day fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion.
And he gave a timely reminder to the Portuguese that he could be an integral member of his squad for the foreseeable future.
Per WhoScored, he touched the ball 88 times, fewer than only Christian Eriksen, and enjoyed a pass success rate of 90%. Ndombele also completed six dribbles and won one aerial duel.
This was a performance that will have made fans sit up and take notice – one gorgeous piece of skill saw Ndombele attempt a rabona cross – but he could play further forward in Mourinho’s system.
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Defensive-minded
Mourinho eventually opted to shift Ndombele back and play him in front of the defence in a role that is usually occupied by Eric Dier.
The Frenchman is a dynamic presence in the centre of the pitch and he carries the ball remarkably well but he needs space in which to operate.
In defensive midfield, he was dispossessed five times purely because of where he was collecting the ball.
One feels that moving him higher up to allow him the freedom to burst forward and occupy a similar space to Dele Alli would give Dembele an added effectiveness in the final third.
He has already scored two goals for the club this season and he could be another weapon for Spurs to deploy in attack.
Shackling him by playing him deeper is not going to bring the best out of Ndombele.
Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho must bring the best out of one man at Spurs.
