Why Barcelona should plot a move for Tanguy Ndombele
As per Mundo Deportivo (h/t The Sun), Barcelona are eyeing a shock move for Tottenham midfielder Tanguy Ndombele in the summer to boost their midfielder ranks.
Ndombele, 23, came through the ranks of EA Guingamp’s youth system and joined Lyon in the summer of 2017. He was a regular member of the squad in the last two seasons and his impressive performances also earned him a move to North London with Tottenham.
However, despite featuring in 27 games across all competitions for the Lilywhites, he has not been to produce his best form. He has failed to live up to the expectations after going through a lot of injury troubles and has not been in good terms with his manager, as per the report.
Meanwhile, Barcelona have been able to reach atop the La Liga standing despite a 2-0 defeat in the El Clasico. Though they have been inconsistent, they have managed to outperform their opponents due to the brilliance of Lionel Messi.
The attacking and defensive units have not been the same dominating force they once used to be. And the midfield has not been the same ever since Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez left the squad. They brought in Frenkie De Jong in the summer to add depth and quality but the Dutchman hasn’t been at the top of his game.
Arturo Vidal and Ivan Rakitic are both 32 and would not have much to offer in the future. They have been linked with a move away from Camp Nou frequently in the past. At the same time, Sergio Busquets has also declined from his best as age seems to be catching up with him.
Therefore, it would be good for the club to bring in midfielders who would be helpful for them in the future after the present bunch of players step down. In that case, Tanguy Ndombele would be a viable option for the club. The 23-year-old may not be at his best but he has shown his abilities with Lyon in the last two seasons.
Despite playing as a defensive midfielder, he has provided 7 assists in each of the last two league campaigns with the French outfit.
Ndombele is one of the emerging players in Europe and can be successful if he is free from injuries and is fit for every game. He could be crucial for the Catalan giants if he is able to pick up his best form and continue developing into a finished article.
Verdict
The French international can be seen as a replacement for Vidal or Rakitic and could be a vital cog in Barcelona’s midfield if he can reproduce the same form he showed with Lyon. The youngster’s quality can never be doubted but needs time to improve.
He can become one of the best in his position and therefore, the La Liga Champions should make a move for Ndombele and lure him in the summer.
