Mourinho gives surprising answer when asked if Ndombele will start against Newcastle

Jose Mourinho says he is yet to decide whether Tanguy Ndombele will start for Tottenham against Newcastle United on Sunday despite the midfielder’s recent improvement.

Ndombele completed 90 minutes for the first time on Thursday and was named man of the match as Spurs beat FK Shkendija 3-1 in another edgy Europa League qualifier.

The Frenchman also impressed in last weekend’s 5-2 victory at Southampton but was substituted at half-time – partly for fitness reasons, and partly because he was on a yellow card.

But after he proved he can last a full game in midweek, many Tottenham fans will be expecting Ndombele to start against Newcastle.

However, when asked if the 23-year-old will feature from the beginning this weekend, Mourinho suggested the intensity could be too much for Ndombele.

“Let’s wait and see, Premier League matches are much more difficult matches than this one [against Shkendija],” Mourinho said (via the London Evening Standard).

“The intensity is completely different, the quality of the opponent is much better. But against Southampton, even for 45 minutes, he had positive things.”

It’s perhaps a surprise that Mourinho is unable to commit to handing Ndombele a starting spot, especially as dropping the former Lyon star could come as a blow to his confidence.

But Mourinho did say he is “very happy” with Ndombele, adding: “Tanguy, step by step, is doing very well.”

We think Ndombele should start against Newcastle, even if he can only last an hour. Let us know if you think he should start in the comments section below.