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Think of footballing nations, and one of the first thoughts has to be France. Dominant winners of the 2018 World Cup with a squad so deep that some of the biggest names in football couldn’t even get a sniff. Part of this success surely stemmed from their central midfield of dreams: Kante, Pogba, and Matuidi—a perfect balance of defensive quality, selflessness, and the ability to pick a pass that sometimes even surprises the target.
Among the bigger names of French football, there was a player that looked set to challenge to be a midfield staple for years to come: Tanguy Ndombele.
TANGUY NDOMBELE YOUTH
Having played in the youth ranks of Guingamp and allegedly being released after being deemed ‘overweight’, Ndombele signed with Amiens and climbed through the ranks. His impressive performances earned him a season-long loan at Lyon, and he was snapped up permanently at the beginning of the 2018 season for a reported €8 million plus add-ons. His rise caught worldwide interest.
TANGUY NDOMBELE – Breakout Season
Ndombele’s 2018-2019 season at Lyon was his breakout season. His defensive skills led some to bill him as the ‘next N’Golo Kante’ due to his ability to tackle, intercept, and read the game. He provided balance to a Lyon team where the attacking stars were Fekir and Depay. His tackles per game of 1.9 might not have been the most impressive compared to others in the league, but his game awareness was influential.
The aspect that made him so in demand was his offensive capability. Ndombele amassed an impressive highlight reel on YouTube with skills and tricks, and his record of 4 assists in 16 Ligue 1 games showed his forward-thinking awareness, ability to carry the ball, and vision to spot key passes. He had a pass accuracy of 89.1%, the 17th highest in Ligue 1, and averaged 1.4 key passes per game, higher than any of the top 10. This versatility in his passing—crosses, through balls, proactive and attacking passes—made him stand out. However, since that season, he has struggled to reach those same heights again.
TANGUY NDOMBELE STATS – LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
Ndombele possesses all the qualities of a box-to-box midfielder. The importance of this position was underscored when Luka Modric broke the 10-year Messi-Ronaldo dominance by winning the Ballon d’Or. Ndombele caught the eye on a global scale during the Champions League group stages that year with standout performances against Hoffenheim and Manchester City. His impressive displays earned him a 9.31 rating from Whoscored and placed him on the radar of several top clubs.
In 2019, Ndombele signed with Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League for £53.8 million. Despite showing flashes of brilliance, including a magical reaction goal against Sheffield United, his time at Tottenham saw mixed success, with questions about his consistency and fitness.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkMpXT37_gA&ab_channel=TottenhamHotspur
His stint with Tottenham included a loan to Napoli for the 2022-2023 season, where he had an opportunity to rediscover his form. At Napoli, Ndombele showed glimpses of his former self, contributing to the team’s midfield with his dribbling, vision, and passing skills, and won the teams first Scudetto in 33 years, though he personally struggled with consistency.
The 2023-2024 season saw him shipped off again, this time to Galatasaray in the Turkish League. Despite winning another league title, the Frenchman played just 457 minutes of league football, starting just 4 games for the Turkish side with just 1 assist to his name.
As of June 2024, Tottenham Hotspur has released Tanguy Ndombele, and highlight clips of the midfielder were shown. And, despite the impressive clips, it was the consistency and the professionalism that was lacking from his game.
“The club can confirm the departure of Tanguy Ndombele following the mutual termination of his contract, effective from 30 June, upon the conclusion of his current loan spell,” a statement read. “Signed from Olympique Lyonnais in July, 2019, the midfielder scored on his debut against Aston Villa and went on to make 91 appearances for us in all competitions, scoring 10 goals.
“During his time here, Tanguy had loan spells back at Lyon, Napoli and with Turkish Süper Lig side Galatasaray last season. “We should like to wish Tanguy all the best for the future.”
While he has had a challenging run recently, the talent that once made him one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe still exists. With the right environment and support, Ndombele has the potential to return to the form that made him a standout at Lyon. The next chapter in his career could be crucial for his resurgence, and he remains a player with the capability to shine on the world stage once more.
