Victor Wanyama has admitted that he was “really pissed off” to not be picked for Tottenham in the 2018-19 Champions League final.
The Kenyan only started 10 games in all competitions that season because of his persistent injury troubles but answered a midfield crisis call from Mauricio Pochettino to start in the second leg of the quarter-final against Manchester City, and both legs of the semi-final victory over Ajax.
When it came to the final though he was left on the bench (a decision I think most fans would agree with even with the benefit of hindsight).
“I was really, really pi@@ed off not to start that game,” Wanyama told The Athletic in an exclusive interview. “And even more pi@@ed off because we didn’t win. I tried to encourage those who played.
“We went back to the hotel after the game. I couldn’t sleep at all. The situation was going around in my head. My brother (McDonald) Mariga was also on the bench in a Champions League final for Inter Milan against Bayern Munich (in 2010). He had to sit on the bench for the full game, so he could relate and understand what I was going through.”
This seemed to be one of a couple of incidents that soured Wanyama’s final months at Spurs and forced his move to Montreal Impact in March.
Another was this tale of how he was stiff-armed off by Pochettino and fed false promises by Jesus Perez. When the promises weren’t kept, he left.
Wanyama added: “When I came back, the club should have trusted me and given me more chances to play again. I was fit and training well. I never argued with Pochettino but I wanted to speak to him. I went to his office but he was busy. I saw his assistant Jesus (Perez). He told me to be patient, that my chance would come blah, blah, blah. I didn’t go to see them again.
“That’s why I left the club. I’m a football player and I wanted to play football. I love Spurs, but I love playing football more.”
Wanyama should be entering his physical peak now so you understand his resentment at being forced into an early semi-retirement in the MLS.
The truth is though, nobody is to blame for that. Not Pochettino, not Perez and not even Wanyama. His body just gave up on him before his time.
MORE: ‘The Lion In Victor Is Gone’ – The Sad Decline Of Wanyama
Poch…. the man who played a 70% fit HK over an in form Lucas Moura. That decision was the catalyst of his demise imo.