Tanguy Ndombele may have played his last game for Tottenham after storming down the tunnel in response to being substituted in Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Morecambe.
Ndombele was hauled off by head coach Antonio Conte after 69 minutes with Spurs trailing 1-0 to the League One side.
Boos rang out around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Ndombele trudged off the pitch, with Bryan Gil and Dele Alli also substituted.
Instead of watching the rest of the match from the bench, France international Ndombele headed straight down the tunnel, further incensing the home supporters.
Conte brought on Harry Kane, Lucas Moura and Oliver Skipp and the triple substitution immediately proved successful.
Harry Winks levelled the scores before Moura put Spurs ahead with five minutes left.
Kane then added a third three minutes later to seal a 3-1 win for the north London club.
But the victory is set be overshadowed by Ndombele’s petulant reaction be substituted.
The 25-year-old has failed to live up to expectations since joining Tottenham in a club-record £53.8m move from Lyon in 2019.
He has been heavily linked with a move away from Spurs in January, with Juventus and Roma both linked with the midfielder.
Tottenham fans have reacted angrily to Ndombele’s performance and reaction to being substituted.
Fan account Daily_Hotspur wrote on Twitter: “Should Tanguy Ndombele ever pull on a #thfc shirt again?”
Another fan added: “Ndombele. Disrespecting the fans, players, the club. Never want to see him make the matchday squad again.”
Only this week, Tottenham boss Conte said he had been impressed by Ndombele’s commitment in training and was considering him for more first-team action.
“Tanguy is showing a good commitment, a good attitude in training sessions,” Conte said.
“He has had an opportunity, a chance against Liverpool and then the second half against Chelsea.
“Probably he could play on Sunday in the FA Cup.
“I think every game is a good opportunity for every player that is not playing so much in the last period to show me that they deserve more consideration.”
Featured Image Credit: Alamy & Twitter: ChrisCowlinTopics: Tottenham Hotspur, Football, FA Cup, Premier League
Rory O'Callaghan