MOMENT OF TRUTH
No-show Ndombele is praised by Jose.. but all eyes are on him today
NORWICH CITY v TOTTENHAM
Carrow Road, 5.30pm
JOSE MOURINHO has praised Tanguy Ndombele’s honesty after Tottenham’s record signing admitted he was not in the right frame of mind to face Brighton on Boxing Day.
All eyes will be on the north Londoners’ line-up at Norwich today to find out whether Ndombele will be included.
Eyebrows were raised when he was not even on the bench for Thursday’s hardfought, 2-1 win over the Seagulls.
But Mourinho explained afterwards that Ndombele had approached him and asked not to play because of concerns over his fitness (yesterday’s Mirror, above).
It comes with the game against the Canaries being Tottenham’s second in 52 hours.
Mourinho said of the 23-year-old France midfielder, who Spurs bought for £55million from Lyon last summer: “I think Ndombele was honest. Football players like to play football.
“For him to say I don’t feel confident, I don’t feel in the best condition due to my previous injuries, he was just being honest. And against Brighton, we had solutions.
“We had Eric Dier, we had Harry Winks, we have Oliver Skipp, who is a great kid fighting to improve for a place. Against Norwich, there are less solutions. But let’s see. I hope after training he can come back to me and say I’m ready to help the team.”
Spurs have won five of their last seven and sit fifth in the Premier League table, three points off fourth-placed Chelsea, in their hunt for a Champions League place.
Mourinho praised the mental fortitude of his side, but appeared to suggest he is already braced for the departure of midfielder Christian Eriksen.
The Dane has refused to sign a new deal and has already rejected interest from Manchester United, as he is keen to play in a foreign league.
Juventus and Real Madrid are interested in what would be a free transfer next summer.
Mourinho added: “I know his future. Or I think I know his future. His communication with me is completely open and honest, and we trust each other.
“I know his future, but I’m not going to be the one to speak about it.
“It has to be him to speak about his future, when he makes the decision to speak about his future. Not me.
“My decision is he wants to help us, that’s the reason why when I am in trouble, when I need a player with his qualities, I play him.”