Today’s clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers is going to be an absolutely crucial one for the Tottenham. The Lilywhites are in a real fight for the top four, and with the West Midlands side also in the argument for a Champions League spot, beating them later is so important.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are a very hard side to beat, and they’ve proven their pedigree with a 7th placed Premier League finish last season and now by their performances in the Europa League this season, advancing to the round of sixteen of the competition after beating Espanyol 6-3 on aggregate.
When Wolves travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium later on, though, it will be a very different clash to the last time the Lilywhites hosted them. This fixture last season went 3-1 in the favour of the away side, but this time it’s up to Jose Mourinho to avoid that same fate, and there are ways to avoid it.
Winning the midfield battle is one of those ways to do it, and given the finesse and talent that Nuno has in his midfield pivot of Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho, the Lilwyhites will have their work cut out, but that’s where Tanguy Ndombele simply has to come into the equation.
The Frenchman is a superb talent, and were it not for a number of niggling injuries and fitness problems, he’d undoubtedly be one of the stars of Spurs’ season so far. His ability to pick a pass as well and beat players with a dribble is unmatched at Tottenham, and we need to have that on show today.
Is Tanguy Ndombele our best midfielder?
Yes!
No!
Against Chelsea last time out Ndombele looked well off the pace, sluggish and unfit, as he lasted just past the hour mark in the defeat at Stamford Bridge, and against Wolves he may not complete the full 90 but he will certainly be needed if the Lilywhites are to dominate the ball and get at the travelling side.