Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld were dropped from Tottenham’s starting XI for Sunday’s home clash with Wolves.
Three goals were then conceded as a 3-2 loss left our top-four hopes hanging by a thread.
Many supporters were left perplexed by Jose Mourinho’s decision to leave the Belgians on the bench, especially Alderweireld who is still among the best centre-backs in the Premier League.
But Mourinho offered an explanation in his post-match interview.
The rationale was simple; Wolves have pace to burn up front and the former Ajax duo do not.
Fair enough, but then why deploy Eric Dier in a back three when he is just as slow, if not slower, than Alderweireld?
A defiant Mourinho was full of praise for Dier after the game though, praising his versatility and ability read the game and pass the ball.
Responding to a question about the absence of Vertonghen and Alderweireld, Mourinho was quoted by football.London as saying: “Eric played very well. I think Eric played very well. So I think if Eric’s performance was not as good I would understand the question but I think it was very good.”
“The thinking was simple, the thinking was Davinson [Sanchez] and [Japhet] Tanganga are the two fastest central defenders that we have.
“Eric is the one who by nature is a midfield player so playing in the middle between those centre backs is the one who is normally more comfortable to step up, he’s more comfortable with reading the game and passing.
“So it was a mixture of giving security but at the same time keeping fast people at the back. I think they played well, especially Eric was very, very good and sometimes you concede goals and you blame goalkeepers and defenders.
“Other times you concede goals and it is a global situation and I think it was when it comes from a transition. Sometimes when it comes from behind midfield I think it’s not about them.”