We all know Levy can be stubborn and very reluctant to take a loss on players. But in Ndombele's case I question the logic in keeping a player who has underperformed, who the manager doesn't trust, and who wants to leave.
Let's say we could have cut our losses and got around £40 mil this window. That's decent money to revinvest in our midfield - van de Beek is one example of what might have been available. That would be good business, and would improve us.
Instead Levy is going to hold out for a miracle, hoping Ndombele transforms into a key part of Mourinho's team. I can't see it, not because he lacks talent, but because he seems to lack the drive and personality that Mourinho looks for.
I think Doherty and PEH are really clever signings. But I'm thinking of those games against sides who come to defend and frustrate. Under Poch we relied a lot on Eriksen to unlock the door. We still need to find someone who can give us that incisive passing. Ndombele has the talent, but I just can't see it happening after a year with little progress.
Worse case he'll become our Ozil, happy to take big wages, and becoming increasingly hard to shift. Or more likely he'll end up going out on loan, if not this window, then next.
Having said all that, the thing that gives me hope is that Mourinho is sounding unusually relaxed and on board with the strategy. Which, for him, is saying something. I still find it hard to believe Mou hasn't pushed for a Ndombele sale, but let's wait and see.
Let's say we could have cut our losses and got around £40 mil this window. That's decent money to revinvest in our midfield - van de Beek is one example of what might have been available. That would be good business, and would improve us.
Instead Levy is going to hold out for a miracle, hoping Ndombele transforms into a key part of Mourinho's team. I can't see it, not because he lacks talent, but because he seems to lack the drive and personality that Mourinho looks for.
I think Doherty and PEH are really clever signings. But I'm thinking of those games against sides who come to defend and frustrate. Under Poch we relied a lot on Eriksen to unlock the door. We still need to find someone who can give us that incisive passing. Ndombele has the talent, but I just can't see it happening after a year with little progress.
Worse case he'll become our Ozil, happy to take big wages, and becoming increasingly hard to shift. Or more likely he'll end up going out on loan, if not this window, then next.
Having said all that, the thing that gives me hope is that Mourinho is sounding unusually relaxed and on board with the strategy. Which, for him, is saying something. I still find it hard to believe Mou hasn't pushed for a Ndombele sale, but let's wait and see.
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