Jose Mourinho has expressly criticised Tottenham's record signing Tanguy Ndombele partly for the team's indifferent form.

Ndombele was signed for £54m this summer from Lyon in a move that most believed would elevate Tottenham's midfield to the next level.

But, in a sign that Mourinho's patience has started to wane, the Portuguese has called on the Frenchman to improve his game.

"In the first half we didn't have a midfield," said Mourinho.

"Of course I'm not speaking of [Oliver] Skipp because he's a kid of 19 who has played two hours in the last few days. I don't criticise him at all.

"But I'm not going to run away and I have to say he [Ndombele] has had enough time to come to a different level.

"I know the Premier League is difficult, and some players take a long time to adapt to a different league.

"But a player with his potential has to give us more than he is giving us, especially when you see how Lucas, Lo Celso and those players are playing. I was expecting more in the first half from him."

Mourinho frustration

Mourinho added some clarification to his position, but the reality is that this is likely to mark a change in the manager's style as something more akin to what we saw at Manchester United.

"Many fantastic players in their first season, in a new country, for different reasons they struggle," Mourinho added.

"There have been many examples of that.

"He's a player with great talent. He has to know he has to do much better and know I cannot keep giving him opportunities to play because the team is much more important."

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