Noel Whelan

Tue 16 March 2021 17:00, UK

An improved relationship with Jose Mourinho may be behind Tanguy Ndombele’s remarkable resurgence at Tottenham, according to Noel Whelan.

The former Premier League striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the hatchet had been buried between the pair after a tumultuous first season in England.

Ndombele, Spurs’ record signing, was publicly chastised several times by the Portuguese boss for a lack of fitness and poor performance levels last term.

The 24-year-old, who cost a reported initial £53.8million, started just 12 league games last season.

However, the France international has turned things around and is now a mainstay in Mourinho’s starting XI.

Ndombele has started 30 times in 37 appearances, most recently in Sunday’s 2-1 north London derby defeat to Arsenal.

As a result, Whelan suggested Spurs finally had a player worth of his price tag on their hands.

Asked if he thought Ndombele was the most improved Premier League player this season, Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “I would say so. I think he’s adapted well. It’s taken him a bit of time to understand what his role is all about at Tottenham.

“It’s a lot different from when he came away from France. I think he’s now understanding what it’s all about to be a midfield player in the Premier League and for Tottenham. What they need, what they require.

“It wasn’t great to begin with. I think there’s a lot of learning curves for both manager and player with the relationship and how they got things across. It looks like it’s flourished now. It’s water under the bridge.

“You’re now getting that full midfield player and you’ve seen the benefits.

“He’s defending, he’s getting back, he’s got energy, he’s creative, he’s getting on the scoresheet, he’s creating goals.

“He just looks a much, much all-round better player and a player that deserves the price tag Tottenham paid.”

In other news, Tottenham plan to sell 24-yr-old Mourinho “doesn’t trust” as Mendes lines up replacement.