Ndombele can break down the best, says Kane
HARRY KANE says Tottenham’s record signing Tanguy Ndombele can be the key to unlocking stubborn Premier League defences after the Frenchman’s perfect start against Juventus yesterday.
Ndombele made his mark just one minute into his Spurs debut in front of 50,000 supporters i n S i n g a p o re ’s National Stadium, setting up Lucas Moura’s equaliser with his first touches in the 3-2 win over Juventus, clinched by Kane’s outrageous stoppage-time winner from inside the centre circle.
The 22-year-old Frenchman replaced first goalscorer Erik Lamela on 63 minutes and immediately dissected Juve’s defence with a through pass for Lucas, who levelled the match at 2-2 after veterans Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo had given the Italians a secondhalf lead.
While Kane’s brilliant winner stole his new team-mate’s thunder, the England captain believes Ndombele will bring something different to a Spurs side that have occasionally lacked finesse in the final third.
“He’s been great,” Kane said. “He intercepted that ball very well and put it through to Lucas. That’s a strength of his, playing that through ball, that forward pass.
“That’s something we’ve missed over the last year or so, that really decisive pass in the final third. He looks like he can do that. With any player who comes in, he’s still learning how we play and the way the manager wants him to play, but he’s working hard. That’s all we can ask for.”
Ndombele’s £65million arrival from Lyon smashed Spurs’s previous transfer record of £42m for Davinson Sanchez two years ago and he is the club’s first signing since Lucas in January 2018.
“It’s always nice to have a fresh face, new energy, new feelings and he’s a fantastic player, who is only going to help us,” added Kane.
“We’re building a good squad, with good depth. These games are great for fitness and integrating young players into the squad. So far, so good.”
Mauricio Pochettino, the Spurs manager, played down expectations regarding the 22-year-old France midfielder, who was playing in the fifth tier of football in his homeland five years ago.
“He’s only just got to know his teammates, to adapt to a new countr y, culture, players, new tempo,” said the Argentine. “All is new for him. His first touch of the ball showed his quality. It was amazing. We know his talent and what he can add, but step by step. We don’t want to put pressure on him.”
With an entertaining friendly in the International Champions Cup heading for penalties, Kane pounced on a loose ball a yard inside his own half and hit a brilliant lob over former Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
“It was instinctive,” he said. “Once I hit it, I knew it had a chance. It’s probably one of the best goals I’ve scored. I’ve had a few in my career where I’ve tried it and it’s gone wide or over the bar.”