Tanguy Ndomele has touched upon his struggles at Tottenham while also revealing why he chose a return to Lyon despite talks with other clubs.
It was a decisive window for Tottenham, where they had to take a decision on some of their underperforming players. Giovani Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele departed the club to end their turbulent period and seek new challenges elsewhere.
Ndombele, in particular, has received plenty of criticism since making the club-record move from Lyon in the summer of 2019. Having never cemented a permanent place in the starting lineup, the French midfielder failed to make the expected impact in north London.
His disappointing performance in the FA Cup clash at home against Morecambe and the subsequent booing from the home fans looked like the final straw that decided the midfielder’s future. The major interest came from France, as PSG looked close to thrashing out a loan deal.
Lyon entered the chase for Ndombele late and soon became the front-runner for the Frenchman’s signature. Tottenham and the Ligue 1 side agreed on a loan deal, and the midfielder is back at his old stomping ground. While it’s only been a few days since the move transpired, Spurs’ record signing has already opened up about his time at the club.
Ndombele has now touched upon his struggles in north London, as he suggested the constant managerial changes might have been the reason for his lack of consistent displays. His comments appeared on 90Min, as he spoke about the issues he faced at the club and why he chose Lyon over other possible destinations.
Ndombele said, “I’ve known five managers in two and a half years. It’s not their fault, but I struggled a bit at Tottenham. I wanted something else. Lyon, because I know it, it’s better to adapt.
“There were talks with quite a lot of clubs, but there was a gap between words and actions. I have three and a half months before the end of the season, and Lyon isn’t bad for me. I left through the front door, and returning is a risk. I took that risk. I think I’m a better player than when I left. I learned things in England, even if it didn’t go well. I’m better physically and mentally.”
He also spoke about his prospects at Tottenham, as the midfielder only joined Lyon on a six-month loan. The French club can buy him outright, although the decision will depend upon the next part of the season. Ndombele continued, “It’s not over. I still belong to the club. I didn’t have pressure from the transfer amount.”
Having struggled in England, Ndombele will be hoping to reignite his career with his former club.
