Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti has hinted that Tottenham Hotspur made a mistake in letting Tanguy Ndombele go on loan. He feels that the midfielder would improve Antonio Conte’s team.
Tottenham sent Ndombele on loan to Napoli for the season last August. The Azzurri’s deal also includes an option to buy the 26-year-old who could not justify the price for him in north London. President Daniel Levy paid Lyon a club record £54 millionrising to £63 million, in 2019.
Ndombele still has two years left on his £200k a week contract at Tottenham after signing a six-year deal. However, for the money Spurs invested, the seven-cap French star only repaid Levy’s investment with 10 goals and nine assists in 91 outings in all competitions.
Napoli doesn’t think Ndombele is worth the price of his call option
Napoli have yet to see much creativity from Ndombele during his loan transfer. The 5-foot-11 dynamo has only scored once and provided one assist in 32 appearances. Furthermore, he has only started nine of those outings, including six Serie A games and none since November.
Given Ndombele’s limited role under Spalletti, Napoli hope Tottenham will agree to reduce the fee on his permanent transfer. calciomercato It was recently reported that sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli wanted to speak to Spurs as he is seriously questioning the payment of a €30m (£26.5m) option.
Napoli will decide Ndombele’s long-term future at the end of his loan and hope Tottenham will agree to a substantial discount. However, a return to north London could still see the midfielder play Spalletti. CalcioMercatoWeb reports that he is on Levy’s radar to replace Conte.
Spalletti believes Ndombele would have helped Tottenham against AC Milan
Spalletti has now also hinted that Tottenham made a mistake after letting Ndombele move on loan to Napoli last summer. He feels the Frenchman would have improved Conte’s team against AC Milan in the Champions League when Spurs left the tournament 1-0 in the round of 16.
The Azzurri boss watched the UEFA matchup and saw scope in Spurs’ efforts where they would have benefited from Ndombele. Although he was not entirely convinced that Napoli would sign a player who would improve his squad when he arrived on loan from Tottenham.
“Ndombele is a strong player,” said Spalletti, via TuttoMercatoWEB. “At first, I didn’t know him very well. there was the doubt [about] why Tottenham had let him go.
“From what I saw, watching the Milan-Tottenham game, from what I know, I would have seen it well on the inside. He is someone I train willingly, he is also a very sweet boy.
“Physically strong, in the modernity of soccer it is that physical strength to include that is important. He has strength, motor, technique. [and] flashes where he sees where the hole is. I like it, as they say in Tuscany.
In other news, Pep Guardiola issues a surprise verdict on the dismissal of Patrick Vieira as Crystal Palace manager
