The Spurs gaffer has been talking exclusively to Sky Sports as Project Restart gets closer and top-flight football begins gradually edge into view. The irrational cries for the season being voided are beginning to thankfully subside and close contact training between players that have tested negative will soon be underway.
How is Tottenham fixed after so long away from the “green carpets” of Enfield? José is clearly champing at the bit, and one gets the impression England’s footballers have found it tough watching their compatriots in Portugal and Germany playing again.
Asked about transfers, Mourinho gave no hope for optimism. The financial hit all the clubs have over the past few months will prove to be crippling – and it isn’t over yet.
“I would like my club to be what I know what we will be – sensible, balanced and not going to spend rivers of money.
“We are trying to respect the situation, not just the football but the situation in the world and society overall.”
Sky Sports
Asked about fitness, the news was mixed. Sure, nobody is injured, but who is match fit? Harry Kane hasn’t kicked a ball in anger in some 5 months.
“In Harry’s case, I think for about five months he hasn’t played, but all of them are not injured any more. They are training, and training is what it is at the moment, training has a lot of limitations.
“I think with a couple of weeks of normal training, when the authorities tell us we can train normally I think in a couple of weeks, the boys will be ready to play, of course not to the maximum of their potential, I think nobody can do that in this moment.”
Time is tight and I fear the Premier League pressuring the players to return when they are not ready. Every week that the season extends beyond the middle of July the clubs have to repay over £30 million to the broadcasters. So they will not want the players taking the six weeks that Raheem Sterling and others say are needed to regain fitness. I don’t want to see Harry Kane injured again and the new season hasn’t even started.