Tottenham boss Mourinho details Daniel Levy role in helping Tanguy Ndombele hit top form

Sheffield United v Tottenham: Match in pictures

Jose Mourinho has claimed that Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is partly responsible for Tanguy Ndombele’s strong run of recent form. The Frenchman has established himself as a key man in the Spurs midfield this season, featuring in all but two of the club’s Premier League matches.

Ndombele played a starring role in his side’s 3-1 victory over relegation candidates Sheffield United on Sunday.

He scored Tottenham’s final goal of the afternoon with 25 minutes remaining, producing a world-class piece of skill to lob goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale from a tight angle inside the area.

The Frenchman became the club’s record signing in the summer of 2019 when he joined from Ligue 1 outfit Lyon for a reported fee of £56million.

He initially struggled to make an impression in English football but has since emerged as a real asset for Mourinho, who did not hold back in his praise of the midfielder after yet another stellar showing.

“The goal is amazing, but I don’t care about the goal,” said Mourinho after the final whistle. “I care about the performance and the performance was magnificent and I’m really pleased that he’s come to this level. He’s playing very, very well.”

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After initially failing to hold down a spot in the Spurs side, Ndombele’s future at the club looked bleak with some supporters even calling for him to be sold.

However, a crunch meeting with Levy, which was featured in the Amazon documentary All Or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur, now appears to have sparked a return to his very best.

The controversial chairman informed Ndombele that he wanted to keep him at the club but issued the Frenchman with a challenge to prove his worth.

Mourinho continued, declaring that although Levy can claim a portion of the responsibility for Ndombele’s performances, the 24-year-old himself should receive the lion’s share of the praise.

“It’s the player’s mentality, the player’s will to train hard, the player’s will to be available for the team, the player’s desire to win, to earn/work a place in the team,” added Mourinho.

“The player is the most responsible. Mr Levy’s responsibility, in my opinion, is some, but is minimal compared with the player. But it’s true, Mr Levy believed in the player and pushed the player in some conversations they had, that the door was open for him.

“And to me it’s always the same: the door is always open, but the player cannot expect for me to go and bring him. It has to be for the player to walk through that door, and come in the direction of what the team needs from him.

“So total credit for Tanguy, and I think also Mr Levy deserves some.”

Spurs are still in with a shout of Premier League glory this season with the race for the title wide open.

Mourinho’s men are four points adrift of leaders Manchester United, who played out a tense 0-0 draw with bitter rivals Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

Spurs will face the Reds, Chelsea and Manchester City in three of their next six Premier League matches in what promises to be a pivotal run of matches in terms of the club’s title hopes.

The north London side will be in FA Cup fourth round action next Monday against Championship outfit Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park.

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