Tanguy Ndombele admits ‘difficult moments’ with Jose Mourinho behind this season

Even the best of relationships aren’t always easy. There are arguments, there are differences of opinion. They need work. But if you get through it, you can come out stronger.

Tanguy Ndombele and Jose Mourinho seem to have done just that. And if they succeed, anyone can.

“I have a good relationship with the coach,” says Ndombele. ‘We talk together, we laugh together. And we have left behind the more difficult moments of last season. We are now both doing our very best to help the team. ‘

They have had a fair share of difficult moments. At one point it was questionable whether the Tottenham manager and their £ 54 million record would ever be able to work together.

Last season, there was the time when Mourinho said Ndombele had excluded himself from Tottenham’s duel with Brighton. Or the time Ndombele ran after Wolves midfielder Petro Neto with so little force that Mourinho laughed at his press conference. And the time when Mourinho took away the midfielder against Burnley during half-time and then speared him.

“We had no midfield in the first half,” Mourinho had said. ‘He’s had enough time to get to another level. A player with his potential has to give us more than he gives. ‘

No wonder Ndombele didn’t start a Premier League game after the restart. Speculation began to spread that Ndombele told Mourinho he never wanted to play under him. Bags packed, ready to slam the front door, like at the end of an Eastenders episode.

Watch now. The 23-year-old has played in every league game this season and Spurs have won three and drawn one of his four starts. Mourinho even said he missed his record in their defeat to Royal Antwerp.

Much of Mourinho’s frustration stemmed from Ndombele’s lack of exercise and the effect it had on his fitness. Even the France international admits that it is his change of attitude that has helped him regain his place.

“I work a little different now,” he said. ‘I notice that I work harder in training and in the competitions. Most of all, I think I’ve just gotten better. It is true that last season was difficult for me – switching leagues that way is not easy. But now I feel like I really feel better and I really hope I’m on the right track for the future. ‘

Ndombele isn’t alone when it comes to getting through tough first seasons for Tottenham. His countryman Moussa Sissoko had a similar difficult start to a Spurs record after his arrival in 2016.

“I wouldn’t say Moussa helped me settle into my life here – I did that myself,” said Ndombele. But it is true that he and Serge Aurier have contributed an awful lot to the club’s establishment. Last season they were always there for me if I played well or not so well, and that was really good for me. ‘

Ndombele’s industry in midfield has given his teammates the freedom to express themselves further in the field. Two are doing more than anyone else in the Premier League.

Harry Kane and Heung-min Son already have 12 goals and 10 assists together this season. The duo have combined for 29 Premier League – nine this season – and are now second behind only Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard for most of the league’s history.

‘That understanding comes naturally,’ says Ndombele. ‘They got along very well off the field. I wouldn’t say they always practice together during workouts. They are strikers, so they naturally play together. They also get along well in competitions. They are both very technical players. As long as it’s good for the team and paying off, it’s good for us. ‘

And they still have Gareth Bale to get out of the way once he’s fully fit again. An 18-minute cameo is all the Welshman has enjoyed in the Premier League since his arrival, while a disappointing Europa League performance prompted Mourinho to reiterate that Bale is a different player from the one who left for Real Madrid seven years ago. Still, Ndombele says, its impact on the dressing room is already being felt.

“I haven’t talked to him much because my English is still not good,” admitted Ndombele. ‘But you can tell he’s a great guy and he tries to talk to everyone. It really helped the team to have someone with his experience who has played at Real Madrid and just like he won three Champions Leagues. It’s great to have him here and I hope he will really help the team right away. ‘