There’s a great piece out just now from Press Association Sports’ Jonathan Veal which I heartily commend to you. When Tanguy Ndombele was overweight, sluggish and generally out of shape, there were some that believed that this was simply all down to Mourinho being dreadful. It was a view that fitted many narratives. After all, how dare a coach tell the truth. Tanguy was always injured and it was a pain, after all he was a record signing and being paid oodles each week.
Now the values in the relationship feel more balanced and it is clear that the Portuguese is itching to have the Frenchman back in the team again saying of the 24-year-old: “Thinking quick, thinking fast, moving the ball quick and fast, we missed him.” After the frankly impoverished midfield Mourinho fielded against Royal Antwerp, it has become clear who can be trusted and who cannot. Eric Dier is also though to be ready for Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, José said: “I expect him to be fine for the next one.”
Perhaps the most pressing improvement to soothe Mou’s currently fevered brow might come from Gareth Bale. One cannot help but wonder how long it might take before the now 31-year-old brings some magic to the side. Sure, he’s not played competitively since the summer, but the pressure to demonstrate a willingness to slip out of the gears is definitely beginning to build within the gaffer. Make no mistake, this wasn’t a José buy, and whatever Daniel Levy’s strategy was, it is ambitious to believe that the Tottenham CEO is happy with just the current levels of shirt sales. Brighton must be put to the sword this weekend.