A Talent Strangled by Triangles: The Tanguy Ndombele Conundrum
Forgive my Nigerian colloquial touch, but I was merely in primary school when I first encountered the phrase, “to me, to you,” bellowed by my teacher as he watched us play. This expression, known globally as “give and go,” “one-two,” or “Toco y me voy,” encapsulates the essence of football’s rhythmic dance: the seamless act of passing and moving into space, creating a harmonious interplay between players to outmaneuver opponents with devastating finesse.
Yet, just as this elegant maneuver was gasping its last breath, a prodigious talent emerged in France. A midfielder whose dribbling was a spectacle of controlled chaos, whose passes were poetry in motion, and whose preferred lexicon was the pass and move. His name: Tanguy Ndombele.
Ndombele became the apple of Europe’s eye, hailed as a quintessential box-to-box midfielder, adept at both defending and attacking. A jewel in football’s crown, he was pursued by giants of the sport. However, we all, including Ndombele himself, overlooked one crucial detail: the “give and go” was dying…
In the glittering lights of Ligue 1, Ndombele dazzled. At Lyon, his ability to glide past defenders with ease, break lines with his dribbling, and distribute the ball with pinpoint accuracy made him a sensation. His performances were not just numbers on a stats sheet; they were an exhibition of artistry. Here was a player who seemed to embody the very soul of football, capable of transcending the rigidity of modern tactics with his sheer talent.
Tottenham Hotspur, under the watchful eye of Mauricio Pochettino, came calling. The allure of the Premier League, coupled with Pochettino’s reputation for nurturing young talent, made Spurs the ideal destination. Or so it seemed.
The transition was anything but seamless. The English game, with its physical demands and relentless pace, posed challenges. Yet, it wasn’t the rough and tumble that truly hampered Ndombele’s integration. It was the tactical philosophy that had come to dominate the modern game — Positional play.
Positional play or Juego de Posición, is rooted in the idea of rational space occupation. Players are required to form geometric structures, predominantly triangles, to create passing options and control the game through possession. It’s a system that prioritizes structure over spontaneity, the system over the individual. For Ndombele, this was a straightjacket.
Under Pochettino, and later José Mourinho, the emphasis on positional discipline and tactical periodization clashed with Ndombele’s natural game. His instinctive dribbling, his ability to create something out of nothing, was stifled. The freedom he enjoyed at Lyon was replaced with a rigid adherence to prescribed zones. His creativity was caged, and his performances suffered.
Ndombele’s struggles were compounded by issues off the pitch. Weight problems and questions about his work ethic surfaced, overshadowing his undeniable talent. The media scrutiny in England was relentless, and the pressure mounted. Mourinho’s public criticisms did little to help, as Ndombele became a symbol of unfulfilled potential.
The move to Galatasaray on loan was meant to be a fresh start, an opportunity to reignite his career away from the unforgiving scrutiny of the Premier League. Yet, the Turkish sojourn proved to be another chapter of frustration. Ndombele’s weight issues persisted, his fitness levels a constant concern.
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Despite playing 19 games and providing one assist, his impact was minimal. So unimpressed were Galatasaray that they sought to terminate the loan early, only to be rebuffed by Tottenham, who were unwilling to take him back. It was a nadir in Ndombele’s career, a period marked by unfulfilled potential and lingering doubts about his commitment and discipline.
The end of the loan spell saw Ndombele return to Tottenham, a club that had lost faith in his ability to adapt. The decision to pay off his contract was a clear indication of their desire to move on. Yet, amid the disappointment, there was a silver lining.
Now, Ndombele is back in France, joining OGC Nice ahead of the 2024/2025 season. The move is a return to familiar territory, a chance to revive a career that promised so much. Yet, the shadow of Position play looms large over European football. The question is whether Nice can provide the environment that allows Ndombele to flourish, to rediscover the “give and go” that made him a sensation.
At the heart of Ndombele’s story is a clash of footballing philosophies. Positional Play, with its emphasis on structure, has become the dominant mode. But football is a game of individuals, of players who see spaces and possibilities that systems cannot predict. Ndombele’s struggle is a reminder that the beautiful game must balance the collective with the individual, the system with the soul.
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As Ndombele embarks on this new chapter, there is hope. The talent that made him a star at Lyon has not vanished; it has merely been suppressed. In the right environment, with the right balance between structure and freedom, Ndombele can thrive. His journey is a testament to the enduring magic of football, a sport where the “give and go” still has a place, where the individual brilliance can shine through the tactical fog.
The tale of Tanguy Ndombele is a cautionary one for coaches and clubs alike. The rigid triangles of Positional Play can enhance a team’s play, but they can also stifle the creativity that makes football truly beautiful. As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on Nice to see if they can unlock the genius of a player who, for too long, has been trapped within the lines.
By Tobi Peter / @keepIT_tactical
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Clive Rose – Getty Images