Tanguy Ndombele has opened up on his "mixed" time at Tottenham Hotpsur and explained why two notable summer departures has led to him stepping out of his comfort zone to improve his relationship with his team-mates.
Speaking in the club's matchday programme before this evening's game against Manchester United, which he started on the substitutes' bench, the French midfielder said he has worked harder to become closer to other squad members after his closest friends in the squad, Moussa Sissoko and Serge Aurier, left the club in the summer.
"It's been mixed. There's been some good things and some not so good," the 24-year-old said.
"If we think about the positive things, last year when we got to the Carabao Cup final in particular and then, overall, the team spirit in the dressing room - and this year even more so. But certainly, the most positive thing was to get to the final last year.
"Of course, it's always easier [to settle] when you can speak the language. I was also in a situation this summer where Moussa and Serge left the club, so I lost two points of reference in the dressing room and so I suppose that has pushed me to get closer to the other players as well.
"But I get on well with everyone. I guess above all it is the French speakers that I'm closest to. I get on well with Pierre and Hugo but also Sonny - who always likes to joke around with me - Harry and everyone really."
Ndombele has started half of Spurs' opening 10 Premier League games and scored one goal.
While they had lost four of the previous six before this evening's game, with increased pressure on head coach Nuno Espirito Santo following last weekend's defeat away to West Ham United, he says the club should think ambitiously.
"This year, my target is simply to play as much football as possible, to be involved in as many matches as possible and, for the team this season, why not? Let's be ambitious. Let's try to win as much as we can."
