Jose Mourinho makes pointed Tanguy Ndombele remark as he explains why he starts vs Norwich

Jose Mourinho has made some interesting comments about Tanguy Ndombele ahead of the game against Norwich City on Saturday night.

The French midfielder, Spurs' record signing this summer, has shown glimpses of quality since arriving in north London, but has also suffered with injuries, struggling to make the big impact the fans would have hoped for.

Ndombele made all the headlines before the game against Brighton on Boxing Day when he was not named in the squad.

He did not have an injury as he was spotted warming up on the pitch ahead of the game that Spurs went on to win 2-1. coming from a goal down.

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And, speaking after the game, Mourinho said: "I cannot say he is injured, in five minutes we start a training session and you can go to the stands and watch it, he is going to be training normally so I cannot say he is injured," he said.

"I can say that yesterday he told me he was not feeling in condition to play the game. Not based on injuries, based on fears of previous injuries that he has had since the beginning of the season.

"Feeling not ready to start the game, but I cannot say he is injured, I can say he is not in condition to start the game, which is different."

That was a pointed remark about the Frenchman, and Mourinho is not one to hold back when it comes to big name players and their situations at a club.

And Mourinho has made more pointed remarks about Ndombele and his condition ahead of the game against the Canaries at Carrow Road.

With Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko suspended, Ndombele has been brought into the side - one of four changes Mourinho has made.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Mourinho said: "Christian [Eriksen] is involved in every match with us, Giovani [Lo Celso] the same. Ndombele is more difficult but we need him.

"We are grateful he wanted to play, he wants to help the team and he is ready, maybe not for 90 minutes, but he is ready to start."

Mourinho saying he is "grateful" that Ndombele "wanted to play" is a very intriguing comment indeed and one that could have big implications for the side moving forward.