Tanguy Ndombele has never been one to hide his frustration when it comes to his time at Tottenham Hotspur. Now, the midfielder who once arrived in North London as a record signing has added fuel to the fire once again. In his latest comments, he strongly advised Mohammed Kudus against joining the Premier League side, claiming that the club is not the right environment for nurturing top talent.
Speaking during a candid chat with reporters in France, Ndombele reflected on his turbulent time at Spurs and didn’t hold back. The midfielder who was signed from Lyon in 2019 for around £60 million said his experience at Tottenham had taught him more about politics than football. According to him, talented players like Kudus should think twice before stepping into that environment.
He said Kudus is a phenomenal player with natural creativity and vision, the kind of talent that thrives when given freedom. But at Tottenham, he added, systems and expectations often strip that away. Ndombele explained that Kudus might find himself trapped in a rigid setup where the fear of failure overshadows the joy of playing football.
The Ghanaian international has been linked with a move to several Premier League clubs, and Spurs are reportedly one of the sides monitoring his progress. Kudus has impressed at West Ham United since his arrival, becoming a key figure with his flair and attacking prowess. His dribbling, unpredictability, and ability to unlock defenses have made him a standout in the league. Yet, for Ndombele, that’s exactly why a move to Tottenham could be a mistake.
He pointed to what he described as a culture of hesitation at Spurs. The club signs exciting players, he said, but often fails to integrate them properly or build systems that let them thrive. He cited not just his own situation, but others who arrived with promise only to fade into frustration or be pushed to the fringes of the squad.
Ndombele insisted that when a club is more focused on control and less on allowing players to express themselves, it slowly kills potential. He believes Tottenham have often fallen into that trap. He added that coaches come and go with different ideas, but the core issues remain. Young, talented players get labeled as inconsistent or lazy when in reality, they are being misused or misunderstood.
Reflecting on his own time at the club, Ndombele admitted that while he didn’t always meet expectations, the environment never truly allowed him to flourish. He said he arrived with ambition and excitement but quickly realized that the style of play and overall atmosphere weren’t what he expected. He admitted that some of the responsibility was his, but a large part of it was structural. He claimed the club lacked the kind of support system that top-level players need to thrive.
He also hinted at deeper issues within the dressing room, saying that cliques and communication problems made it harder to feel part of the project. According to him, the disconnect between management and players often led to confusion and inconsistency on the pitch.
Ndombele’s warning to Kudus wasn’t just emotional. It was a direct reflection of his belief that players like Kudus need freedom, belief, and a platform that encourages risk-taking and expression. In his view, Tottenham has not consistently provided that in recent years. He urged Kudus to choose a club where he would be valued not just as a name or a transfer target, but as a player with unique qualities that deserve to be nurtured.
Whether or not Kudus listens is another matter. For now, the midfielder continues to rise at West Ham, but with transfer interest building, he will have decisions to make. Ndombele’s words may not be universally accepted, but they do offer a rare glimpse into how some former players view their time in North London. His verdict is clear. Talent can shine, but only in the right light. And in his view, Tottenham’s light has dimmed far too often.