Tottenham Hotspur’s struggles in the Premier League have reared their head again this season, despite parting ways with manager Ange Postecoglou.
The Australian was sacked in the summer after finishing 17th in England’s top flight, but was later sacked just as he ended the Lilywhites’ 17-year wait for a silver medal.
However, his successor Thomas Frank suffered the same fate in north London, with the Danes handed their own marching orders after winning just seven of 26 league games.
As a result, former Juventus manager Igor Tudor was given the job of manager until the end of the season, with the Croatian tasked with keeping the team in the division.
The 47-year-old has been handed a big job in North London and will then play in an injury-hit team that is littered with several expensive additions.
But the new manager won’t be able to enlist the help of former star Tanguy Ndombele…
The statistics behind Tanguy Ndombele’s struggles at Spurs
Under Daniel Levy, Spurs’ supporters often complained that money was not being spent in the transfer market to strengthen the first team.
However, in the summer of 2019, the Lilywhites broke a transfer record when they reportedly paid £62 million to sign Ndombele from French side Lyon.
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There was a lot of excitement surrounding the now 29-year-old’s move due to the nature of the compensation, but it was truly a time to forget for the player and everyone involved in the move.
The midfielder has only made 91 top-flight appearances for North London, with his attitude and fitness issues constantly being cited by various managers and supporters.
However, Ndombele has been able to produce a number of magical moments, as seen in his incredible goal against Sheffield United in 2020/21.
On his arrival in north London, the Frenchman was given a five-year contract for a staggering £200,000-a-week, taking the total the club spent on signing him to over £100m.
Making matters worse from Spurs’ point of view, Ndombele will now leave the club on a free transfer in the summer of 2024, bringing an end to his miserable spell in England.
Spurs stars like Ndombele should never play under Tudor
As mentioned above, Spurs’ new manager Tudor will have a big task ahead of him over the coming months, but the Croatian will no doubt be looking to establish himself in the senior ranks.
Throughout his managerial career, the 47-year-old has favored a three-back system, but that could mean the Lilywhites’ players play in a completely different way than they did under Frank.
Such a change may be a risk, but it is certainly a fundamental one that could ultimately change results and free the team from the looming threat of relegation.
However, personal changes are also expected, with Randal Kolo Muani potentially being given a more senior role given the time he spent under a new manager at Juventus last season.
While there are positive aspects to some members of the team, others such as midfielder Yves Bissouma should not be given the same opportunity to develop.
The Malian international joined the Lilywhites in the summer of 2022 for a reported £25 million, but it’s safe to say he failed to spark a move, much like with Ndombele.
He has racked up more than a century of first-team appearances, but his off-field antics have often cast doubt on his long-term future in north London.
He was photographed inhaling laughing gas at the start of the 2024/25 season and was suspended by the club, and like Ndombele, his stance has been called into question.
However, despite not appearing in a first-team game until January, the 29-year-old returned to the senior ranks and has since made five appearances in the league to date.
Bissouma started in Frank’s final match against Newcastle United earlier this week, but was dragged off at the break after failing to score his first 45 points.
The Malian player had just 24 touches on the ball, but missed every tackle he attempted, highlighting his team’s struggles in the middle.
Yves Bissouma – Statistics against Newcastle | |
|---|---|
statistics | tally |
Play time (minutes) | 45 |
touch | twenty four |
pass completed | 19 |
tackle win | 0 |
won a duel | 33% |
An opportunity has arisen | 0 |
Number of intercepts | 0 |
Number of fouls committed | 2 |
Also, he only won 33% of the ground duels he participated in and committed two fouls, but he was clearly off the pace and not at the level needed for success.
Tudor’s arrival should not hand the midfielder another chance to revive his career in north London, but Bissouma has failed to capitalize on the chances he has been given previously.
His contract is set to expire in the summer, and there is a good chance his dismal days in the capital are over, and he could emulate Ndombele and leave for nothing.
It is clear from his actions on and off the field that Bissouma has not been able to impress the fan base, and the new manager will simply need to consider other options between now and the end of the season.
Given the precarious situation the club is in, Tudor will need all his players to give 100% to prevent the unthinkable, which Bissouma has consistently failed to do.
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