Ndombele: I’m taking a risk by coming back to Lyon

Tanguy Ndombele

did not try to shift the blame for his poor performances at

since he knows he is risking his career by going back to

on a loan.

The player joined Spurs on a £55.5million (€62m) deal in 2019 but has returned to his former side Lyon on Monday on a loan deal that can be turned permanent for €65m.

He failed to live up to the expectations in England as Spurs invested in him so heavily.

After making 47 chances and contributing seven assists in his last season in Ligue 1, the midfielder had only 30 key passes and provided five assists in the last two and a half years with Tottenham.

Factors like Mauricio Pochettino being the one who signed him, and then being replaced by Jose Mourinho had an effect on the matter as well.

However, the 25-year-old said on Wednesday:

"It's not the fault of coaches if I had a little trouble at Tottenham.

"It's the right time for me [to return to Lyon]. For my adaptation, coming back here is the best. I hesitated: I went out through the front door, and coming back I'm taking a risk.

"If I had thought about [it hurting my pride], I wouldn't have come back. I saw the project in front of me, I saw that it was interesting for me, and for the club, too.

"But I don't think that's the easiest option. If there wasn't a good team, I don't think I would have taken that risk."

Lyon are hoping to have Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette back as well as he met the back of the net 100 times in Ligue 1 for the club.

He was among the ex-Lyon men who were signed by Jean-Michel Aulas when presenting Ndombele to the media.

"

In our context, [Lacazette] is more affordable than Benzema,

" Aulas said.

"We have to try to see if we can do it as a free player, but we won't be alone."

Aulas also talked about outgoing transfers, with Ndombele going to replace star man Bruno Guimaraes, who left the club for

.

"

Newcastle's first request for Bruno, we refused it,"

Aulas said.

"It seemed logical to us.

"Events made us think differently then. We're happy with the deal, coming out of a difficult pandemic period for all clubs. We turned a weakness into an opportunity."

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