Toby Alderweireld evaluates Sergio Reguilon’s Tottenham debut and Tanguy Ndombele’s transformation

Spurs defeated Chelsea on penalties on Tuesday to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup

(Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I)

Toby Alderweireld has praised new team-mate Sergio Reguilon for his mentality in his Tottenham debut against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening.

Left-back Reguilon, who signed from Real Madrid this month along with loanee Gareth Bale, was involved in Chelsea’s opener – scored by Timo Werner – but kept his confidence and assisted Erik Lamela’s late equaliser before Spurs won on penalties to reach the quarter-finals of the competition.

“[Sergio] was very good, he’s very quick, he's able to go forward and defend,” Alderweireld said. 

“He’s in good spirits. Everyone makes mistakes, but there was a lot to do after that moment. 

“But he showed today he has a lot of potential to help us and be good in that position.”

Belgium international Alderweireld also hailed the efforts of Tanguy Ndombele, who has seen an increase in game time in recent weeks and largely repaid manager Jose Mourinho’s faith in him.

The midfielder’s time at Spurs, whom he joined from Lyon in 2019, seemed likely to be short-lived due to his lack of appearances under Mourinho since the Portuguese’s arrival late last year, but fans will hope that Ndombele can continue to push on.

“It’s his character, his willingness to work for the team,” Alderweireld said of the 23-year-old.

“It all starts from there. Sometimes it’s not easy, but if you work hard, good things will come.

“He showed that not only today [against Chelsea] but in the last couple of weeks.”

Tottenham next host Maccabi Haifa in a Europa League play-off tie on Thursday evening, before travelling to Old Trafford to play Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.