Antonio Conte dropped Tottenham's record signing Tanguy Ndombele for last night's defeat to Chelsea following talks with managing director Fabio Paratici, as the club attempts to offload the midfielder this month.
Ndombele was not in the squad for the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg after refusing to run off the pitch when substituted in Sunday's FA Cup tie against Morecambe. Ndombele was loudly booed by sections of the Spurs fanbase and walked straight down the tunnel.
Conte has since refused to criticise Ndombele and said it would be unfair to discuss his situation publicly, but Spurs are open to him leaving this month, with the 25-year-old said to want a transfer.
Conte discussed Ndombele's situation with Paratici, who is responsible for running the football side of the club, before deciding not to include him in last night's squad, with the decision fully supported by the club.
After the game, Conte confirmed: "It was a tactical decision but before to take the decision, I don't take the decision if I don't consult the club. There is the club line and I have to follow the club line."
Conte and Paratici talk every day, and on Monday the head coach held a frank meeting with the managing director and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy to discuss January transfer targets and deliver his long-awaited assessment of the squad.
Offloading Ndombele will not be easy this month because the £55million signing is one of Spurs' top earners on around £200,000 a week and still has three-and-a-half years on his contract. Spurs would consider a loan deal, and Italian clubs Roma and Napoli have been mentioned as potential suitors on the continent.
