Pundit makes ‘massive’ Ndombele claim after Tottenham source update
Alex McLeish has insisted Antonio Conte will not “waste time” on Tanguy Ndombele at Tottenham after giving a January move the green light.
The former Scotland manager, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the Italian manager will have spoken to the 24-year-old about his performance levels and work rate behind closed doors before calling him out publicly last week.
A Tottenham source told Football Insider on Thursday (25th November), Conte has told Spurs to listen to offers for big-earning Ndombele in January.
As quoted by the Guardian (19th November), Conte called for the midfielder, whose contract is worth around £200,000-a-week, has to work harder “for the best of the team” rather than himself.
McLeish suggested the new Spurs boss would have discussed the matter with Ndombele in private before going to the press.
He admitted the France international’s future looks “ominous” at Tottenham.
McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “It’s kind of ominous when the manager’s coming out with a statement, especially publicly.
“You would try and address it with the player himself first in the dressing room. You try to guide him on what you think he could do better.
“He’s said something about work and him working there. So for me, that’s ominous.
“Unless there’s a massive improvement, then Conte is not going to waste time.”
Ndombele has played 12 times for Spurs this season, three times under Conte.
He made his first start under his new manager in Thursday’s shock 2-1 defeat to Mura.
The Frenchman played 76 minutes in a deep midfield role.
In other news, Tottenham could pull off “very easy” signing after latest update from Inside Source.