Too Positive To Be Nothing: Fantastic Jose Mourinho's Tottenham Have What It Take To Go All The Way
Tottenham Hotspur have not been known to be associated with trophies in recent years. Infact, they are yet to win the league in the Premier League era. The last time the North London club won a trophy was in 2008, when they beat Chelsea 2-1 in the League Cup final at Wembley under the guidance of Juande Ramos.
Since then, the club have endure setbacks and heartbreaks as per winning a trophy. They did come close to winning the Premier League title in 2015-16 season but finished third in what was a two horse race between themselves and eventual champions, Leicester City as they were overtaken by North London neighbours, Arsenal on the final day of the season.
In 2018-19 season, they also made it to the final of the Champions League for the first time since their foundation but lost by 2-0 to fellow Premier League club, Liverpool at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid Spain.
After more than five years with the club, former manager Mauricio Pochettino was relief of his duties at the helm by Tottenham and Jose Mourinho, a more decorated manager was appointed. In his first training session at the club, Mourinho was reported to have said to the Tottenham players; “Play for me, I will make you winners...”
Indeed the Portuguese is a serial winner having won so many trophies with different teams over his managerial career. He is famously know for his achievement with FC Porto, when he led the Portuguese club to UEFA Champions League glory in 2004.
Upon his appointment in 2019, the belief of many is that Tottenham's trophy drought might just be about coming to an end in a manager like Mourinho, who has won trophies at every club he has managed.
Into his first season proper at the club with nine league games played so far, Tottenham currently lead the way on goal difference, playing some scintillating football, they have also booked a place in the quarter finals of the Carabao Cup by beating Chelsea on penalties in September. They have joint best defensive record in the league and just one shy for most goals scored so far.
They have also earn big wins against the top teams they have faced. Since losing to Everton in their first match of the season, Tottenham have not lost a league game, beating Manchester United 6-1 at Old Trafford and Manchester City 2-0 in their latest game at the Tottenham Stadium in London.
The Tottenham players have also improved immensely with Harry Kane already involved in 16 goals, (seven goals, nine assists) already providing more league assists than he had in the past three seasons combined, and Hueng-Min Son has contributed to 11 (nine goals, two assists) in nine league outings this campaign. Other fringe players have also been firing while new signings are relentless.
It might be too early to call them a real contender for the Premier League title but the early signs hold so much promise for the club. Rivals for the title, Manchester City are having their worst start to the season since the Abu Dhabi United Group takeover, in 2008.
Defending champions Liverpool are second, tied on points with Spurs but with a lot of players on the sideline and playing in the more competitive UEFA Champions League, it is just a matter of time before the Merseyside club's lack of depth becomes a crisis for them, despite doing fine in recent outings.
Tottenham on the other hand have backups almost as good as their first choice players in some areas of the pitch. Joe Hart has been brought in as cover for Hugo Lloris despite Paulo Gazzaniga's presence while in defense, Serge Aurier complements Matt Doherty and Sergio Reguilón battles with Ben Davies.
Davison Sanches, Eric Dier, Toby Alderweireld, Joe Rodon and youngster, Japhet Tanganga compete for places in the heart of the defense. Jose Mourinho, being a tactician with preference of strong and energetic midfielders, the crop he met at Tottenham are his kind of player and with the addition of the ever-present Pierre Emile Højbjerg, the platform set by the Portuguese is very ambitious and Tottenham have reap dividends so far this campaign.
In addition to Harry Kane, Hueng-Min Son, Lucas Moura, Erik Lamela, Steven Bergwijn up front, Tottenham secured the return of Gareth Bale on loan from Real Madrid with Carlos Vinicius also joining on loan with an option of a permanent deal from Benfica.
Lot's of events are bound to take place as the season proceeds but Tottenham look prepared for the journey ahead and with the record of manager Jose Mourinho, who has won every league trophy in his second seasons at every club he's managed except at Manchester United, where he came second, Tottenham are surely one of the favourites to win the Premier League title, come the end of the season.
Tottenham host Ludogorets Razgrad in the Europa League on Thursday before facing a tricky test in the Premier League as they visit the Stamford Bridge on Sunday to take on former Mourinho's employee, Chelsea.
Afolabi Kehinde Hassan
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