Jose Mourinho is backing Tanguy Ndombele to come good at Tottenham and said it is "no drama" that he is not in the starting lineup.

The France international arrived at Spurs in a club-record deal a year ago, but has hardly lit up north London since his arrival.

He has been beset by injury problems and has been left on the bench by both Mauricio Pochettino and Mourinho, who has publicly criticised his performances and fitness.

Reports have emerged from France that Ndombele is not happy and wants to leave, though Mourinho has shut them down and the Portuguese sees no reason why the midfielder cannot become a success at Spurs.

"In Tottenham, what I feel is every time a top player is on the bench it's a drama and the players have to understand that it's not a drama. You have to understand it's not a drama and everybody has to understand it's not a drama.

"I hope that next season that we have even more top players on the bench because it means we have to be bigger than where we are now so when a top player is on the bench it doesn't mean there's a story behind it. It means that there's lots of other options.

"The other day, when I played, (Moussa) Sissoko and (Giovani) Lo Celso, there is no drama that (Harry) Winks is not playing, no drama that Ndombele is not playing, no drama that (Erik) Lamela is not playing.

"That's the life in big clubs. No problem with Tanguy. No problem with Tanguy. He's in a big club where you have to compete with other guys, he's an option for me, a very good player who will probably be playing at Sheffield United, will probably be playing the next match.

"There is no problem, there is no story. We are a big club with very talented players."