Tanguy Ndombele Opens Up on Improved Relationship With Jose Mourinho

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Tanguy Ndombélé has revealed that, despite some difficulties to begin with, he and his manager José Mourinho now have a 'good relationship'.

Ndombélé joined Tottenham for a club-record fee of £54m in the summer of 2019, while the club were under the stewardship of Mourinho's predecessor, Mauricio Pochettino. Despite starting the campaign by scoring against Aston Villa on a dream debut for the club, Ndombélé endured a season punctuated by injuries and a perceived loss of his manager's faith.

Having taken charge midway through the campaign in November, Mourinho only handed the 23-year-old Frenchman six starts across all competitions while he publicly criticised the midfielder.

However, Ndombélé has started his second season at Spurs in fine form, featuring in all of their opening six Premier League matches. Mourinho even admitted Tottenham missed the France international when they suffered a surprise Europa League defeat against Royal Antwerp on Thursday.

Ndombélé was keen to stress the positive aspects of his reinvigorated standing with Mourinho, claiming: "I've got a good relationship with the coach," as quoted by the Daily Mail.

"We speak together, we laugh together. And the more difficult moments last season we've left behind us. We're now both trying our hardest to help the team."

In September, Mourinho revealed he had previously doubted Ndombélé's 'motivation and commitment and professional attitude'. Tottenham's number 28 highlighted a renewed work ethic may be partly responsible for his improved form, explaining: "I am working a bit differently now. I find myself working harder in training and in the matches.

"But above all I think I've just settled in better. It's true that the last season was difficult for me - to change leagues like that, it isn't easy. But now I feel like I'm really settling in better and I really hope that I'm on the right track for the future."

Reluctant to overemphasise the influence of fellow French speakers Moussa Sissoko and Serge Aurier, Ndombélé did point out the help these specific teammates offered him: "I wouldn't say that Moussa helped me in terms of settling in my life here - that's something I did by myself.

"But it's true that he and Serge Aurier have helped an awful lot in terms of settling into the club. Last season they were always there for me when I was playing well or not so well, and that was really good for me."