Mourinho claims Spurs’ woes down to stars wanting out after watching Walker win trophies at Man City
JOSE MOURINHO has claimed Tottenham’s woes boil down to the fact their stars want to quit the club having watched Kyle Walker win trophies at Manchester City.
The Special One, 56, has claimed the “chemistry” doesn’t seem to be there at Spurs as it has in recent seasons.
This season the likes of Christian Eriksen, Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen haven’t been fully focused on the club, as they are considering their futures elsewhere.
Ex-Chelsea and Manchester United boss Mourinho reckons the success of Walker, one of few to leave the North Londoners for bigger and better things, may be a key reason.
Mourinho revealed: “I think in the last part of last season they knew they had no chance to fight for the title.
“At the same time they didn’t feel big pressure from the likes of Man Utd, Chelsea going ahead of them.
“They had fourth position more or less under control and the Champions League became more of the dream, so that maybe took some of the focus [from the Premier League].
“But maybe this season they are not having that chemistry.
LOST THAT LOVING FEELING
“I don’t know if I’m right or not but I always felt that while Spurs weren’t buying a lot, they were doing something more important, which was to keep all the good players that they have.
“They persuaded the players to stay and stay happy – that was my feeling.
“They managed to give new contracts to Harry Kane and others and it looked like the players were happy to belong to that project, that club, that dream.”
But Mourinho added the chemistry may now have soured, with a host of stars having their heads turned in recent months.
He continued: “Maybe now, the feeling that I have – what is happening with Eriksen, Vertonghen and what happened at the end of last season with Alderweireld – maybe some of the boys are not so happy to stay.
“Their eyes might be on bigger pictures – look at Kyle Walker, winning trophies.
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“Maybe at this moment the team is not that focused or full of chemistry.
“It looks like the relationship with Mauricio Pochettino is happy; they have an amazing stadium, Champions League football again…
“But maybe some of the boys want something different. Even at the perfect club, if one player isn’t happy, it can make you lose focus.”