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Tanguy Ndombele once received José Mourinho’s back, while Eric Dier was a regular on Tottenham’s bench this time last year. Through tough love and expert man management, both are now key players for the Spurs. How has Mourinho done it?
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On the latest Pitch to Post Review podcast, Ben Ransom and Gerard Brand join Jasper Taylor to discuss the couple’s improved form this season, and why Dele Alli may be next on Mourinho’s to-do list.
How ‘dazzling’ Ndombele came from the cold
Improving the form of Tanguy Ndombele is a feat of man’s management
In the post-closure 2019/20 season, Ndombele played just 65 minutes for Mourinho’s Spurs, and after being publicly criticized by his coach in March, it seemed the days of the £ 63 million signing were numbered in North London.
But now, as Spurs rank at the top of the Premier League, Ndombele is one of the season’s success stories at Spurs, a testament to Mourinho’s man-management skills. How did you do it?
Sky Sports Gerard Brand:
“For those of you who have seen the documentary, I’m not convinced it was Daniel Levy’s speech to Ndombele that triggered the shapeshift. I wasn’t really feeling that.
“But Ndombele is what Paul Pogba should have been with José at United. When he got to the Premier League there was a lot of excitement and he really didn’t deliver.
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“Jamie Carragher fell completely in love with him on Monday Night Football before the pandemic for a pitiful performance at Burnley, where he just didn’t seem like he was getting upset. Maybe he didn’t like his role, maybe his confidence was low, but right now what we are seeing from him is impressive.
“When this guy is good, he’s so good, and his skill set is really unique. There aren’t many midfielders who have the strength, explosiveness, skill and a low center of gravity to get out of dead ends. He has a pass on him and also read the game.
“I think Jose has found this perfect role and position for him, and he’s what you would call a No. 10 Jose. You actually see him wandering past Harry Kane to pressure defenders; he starts the press and creates these points of strangulation for opposition defenders, but seconds later he can be found in front of the defense helping.
“So what has changed? I think he has reconditioned himself, which is obviously a credit to him, and I think Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg takes some pressure off him in a defensive sense – last season he looked around. and I saw Harry Winks and Moussa. ” Sissoko or Eric Dier, and now go to Hojbjerg and Sissoko.
“He’s also getting less involved in dirty work – his tackles, interceptions and matchups per game are way down from last season. And most of all this is man management. Mourinho criticized Ndombele in the most public way last season. He completely questioned his wish after that Burnley game, and now he’s one of their biggest players. “
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Is Alli next on José’s list?
Dele Alli may find comfort in recalling Ndombele’s struggles at Spurs (the midfielder has played just 66 minutes of Premier League football this season), but as Mourinho trickle-fuels 24-year playing time in the Europe League, will the coach get the reaction he’s looking for?
Gerard brand from Sky Sports:
“It worked with Ndombele, and that’s something that I think the coaches should be judged on; how they improve the players. Mourinho didn’t do as much as he should in that regard at United, but there are examples of him doing it at other clubs.” – put players in the cold to get a reaction – and I think the next person on your list is probably Dele Alli.
“In games where Spurs face low defense, that’s where Mourinho will want Alli. To slip those passes and do the nice job, which, let’s be honest, against Manchester City and Chelsea, Spurs need. do less set up to play balls over the runners.
“I’m intrigued to see where he goes with that because it’s a pretty big drop for Dele Alli in recent months. There’s no way Mourinho will leave him in the cold permanently, it’s all for a reaction.”
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This could be the creation of the central Dier
Eric Dier has found a safe place in the Spurs defense having previously appeared in midfield
After fighting for a consistent playing time at the end of Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure, England international Eric Dier is now playing where he thinks is his best position.
Having changed the ‘versatility’ label, Dier is becoming a rock on a Spurs side with the best defensive record in the Premier League.
Ben Ransom from Sky Sports News:
“He looks much better in the middle now that they have given him a streak of games there. He clearly came out with a lot of skill; he was a young player, he is very physical, he reads the game well and he can play a little.
“The coaches want to have him in the team, but when you have centers that have so much experience, you often see young centers play as full-backs or they will now play in that role of defensive midfielder. Dier did quite well in that role of midfield, he moved down the court, he would win tackles, he would gain possession and he would give you aggressiveness in both areas.
“I understand why they played him there, but it’s good to see him finally get a chance to play central defense.
“I really think this season could be the brainchild of Eric Dier. He has given him the confidence of his coach, which is very important, and clearly he has been trained in those specific aspects to make you a better defender. He’s reading the game a lot. better, and he’s winning the aerial duels.
“Certainly for England that is a fantastic thing to move forward. The center-backs mature later than most other players, and I think with Dier we are seeing the qualities of a very good defender now.”
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