This article is part of Football FanCast's The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...
Tanguy Ndombele turned in an excellent performance as Tottenham Hotspur beat Bournemouth at the weekend, suggesting more than ever that he could be the club's Mousa Dembele replacement.
On the chalkboard
The France international started alongside Eric Dier in midfield and was a consistent, menacing presence in the centre of the pitch.
Indeed, Spurs ran out 3-2 winners, their third successive win in all competitions under Jose Mourinho’s management, thanks to a brace from Dele Alli and a Moussa Sissoko strike.
And Ndombele played a key role from midfield.
Per WhoScored, he had 84 touches of the ball, the third-highest number of any player on the pitch, and a pass success rate of 90% from 60 total passes.
Not only that, but Ndombele also completed five dribbles, won three tackles and also made two interceptions.
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Dembele’s replacement
Ndombele is the all-action midfielder Spurs have needed ever since Mousa Dembele’s departure.
The Belgium international left in January to move to China and was not immediately replaced, to the detriment of Spurs’ form.
It is no surprise that following his exit being announced on January 17, they won just seven league games out of a possible 16. Seven of those were defeats, too.
The 22-year-old, though, has appeared to step into his shoes; he is a graceful, elegant dribbler of the ball who can skip past players and also recycles possession well, regularly keeping hold of it for his team even in tight areas.
He has also scored twice in the league this season.
Mourinho, of course, never worked with Dembele, but he could now have his successor under his management.
If he keeps playing like this, he could be central to the former Inter Milan boss’ reign in north London.
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