Sissoko on Ndombele: “We’re all happy to have Tanguy in this form!”

Moussa Sissoko knows first-hand the settling-in process that Tanguy Ndombele has been going through – and has praised his team-mate and fellow countryman for his apparent transformation in a Spurs shirt.

Joining us from French side Lyon last summer, the central midfielder struggled to make an impact during his first season in English football, but has enjoyed a significant upturn in fortunes this time around, starting six of our eight Premier League games so far in 2020/21, helping us win five and draw one of those matches as we’ve remained unbeaten domestically since the opening-day home defeat to Everton.

Fellow France international Moussa experienced a similarly stuttering start to his own Spurs career following his transfer from Newcastle in 2016, but notably progressed to establish himself as a key member of the starting XI after acclimatising to life in north London.

Having started our last five consecutive league games along with Tanguy, the 31-year-old has spoken glowingly about his midfield comrade.

“I think everyone is very happy with what Tanguy is doing at the moment,” said Moussa, who is a little over seven years older than Tanguy and has played his own part in helping the midfielder to settle in, often sticking close to him at Hotspur Way and acting as his translator while he was learning English. “Of course, last season was a tough season for him – I can say that’s normal, because when you are a young player and you change countries, you go somewhere where you are living alone and you don’t speak the language, and everything is different. Even the league, where you play – you need time to adapt. That was my case as well, when I first came to Tottenham.

“I said to him to stay calm, stay patient, and just work hard in training and try to understand everyone here. Everyone knows he has talent, and everyone is sure he will perform. He’s had a few problems, but everything is fine and you can see this season that he’s very happy to be part of this team – he’s showing a lot of quality on the pitch and we are all happy to have Tanguy in that form. I think he will even improve during the season, but what he is doing and showing is good at the moment.”

Speaking at a press conference ahead of our Europa League victory against Bulgarian champions Ludogorets last week, Moussa was asked if Tanguy seems to be a different person away from the action in 2020/21.

“No, not a different person off the pitch, he’s just more open with everyone,” he said. “Last season it was complicated for him. It’s tough, he doesn’t speak the language and it’s difficult to be open with everyone and speak with everyone. This year it’s totally different. Maybe because he’s been playing well, his English is improving a lot, so he can now speak English with players in the changing room, he’s laughing and joking with everyone and that’s good. It’s what we want to see. When you come, maybe you need time to adapt, and Tanguy needed that time. Now the past is gone, and we are all focussed on now, and he’s doing well, he’s happy, everyone is happy with what he’s doing. Let’s keep going in that direction.”