Tottenham midfielder Tanguy Ndombele opens up on public Jose Mourinho criticism: 'His words didn't hurt me'
Tottenham's Tanguy Ndombele has admitted he was "not in the right place" mentally last season but insists he was not hurt by Jose Mourinho's public criticism.
The Spurs manager condemned Ndombele's fitness and motivation on several occasions as the club-record signing struggled to assimilate to English football following a £55million move from Lyon.
Ndombele has looked a different player this season, featuring in all six of Tottenham's League games, and he is expected to be rested for Thursday's Europa League match at Royal Antwerp.
"His words didn't hurt me," the Frenchman told Sky Sports. "They didn't necessarily motivate me either. It was just something that I assimilated and took on board.
"Of course it's not something that you like to hear, those sort of words, but that was last season and we are looking to the future."
He added: "I don't think we have seen the best of Tanguy Ndombele yet. I'm on the right track but there's still more to come.
"I feel better. That comes from playing consecutive matches. It's good for a player to have a good rhythm like that and get into shape.
"Last year I didn't have that so much. This year, I do so it's better for the team and it's better for me.
"Between France and England there's a real difference in the intensity of the matches. Last season my head just wasn't in the right place. This season it's going a lot better."
Mourinho will not confirm his travelling squad until after training at lunchtime on Wednesday but, with Uefa allowing up to 12 substitutes in the Europa League, all fit players are expected to be included for the trip to Belgium.
Centre-half Japhet Tanganga remains sidelined, while Paulo Gazzaniga, Gedson Fernandes, Joe Rodon and Danny Rose are all ineligible for the Europa League.
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