Two players new Spurs manager Jose Mourinho should target in January
Tottenham acted swiftly to appoint Jose Mourinho as their new manager on a contract that will run until the end of the 2022-23 season, following Mauricio Pochettino’s sacking on Tuesday (h/t The Telegraph).
Jose Mourinho, 56, has returned to management for the first time since being sacked by Manchester United in December. The Portuguese is one of the world’s most accomplished managers, having won 25 senior trophies.
Well-known for his tactical prowess – and with clubs like FC Porto, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United on his CV – Mourinho has worked wonders in his career thus far.
That is in stark contrast to Pochettino, who is yet to win a trophy in his managerial career despite overseeing Tottenham’s transformation into a top-four side.
Although they reached the Champions League final for the first time in the club’s history in June, when Tottenham were defeated by Liverpool, domestic results have been disappointing for the majority of the new season.
To help Spurs achieve a top-four spot this season, Mourinho definitely needs to dip into the market come January. Here are two players the new Spurs manager should look to sign.
1. Bruno Fernandes (Sporting Lisbon)
Back in August, Bruno Fernandes told GQ Portugal (h/t The Sun) that he was close to moving to Spurs but Sporting pulled the plug.
Sporting’s Fernandes scored 32 goals and added 18 assists from the midfield last season. He has started this season on the same note for the Portuguese giants, scoring nine goals and adding six assists in 17 games across all competitions.
Mourinho could do well by signing Fernandes in January. The Portuguese international’s creative influence would certainly be a plus for Tottenham, with both Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen struggling for form.
The Maia-born star can also be a good source of goals to provide some much-needed support for Harry Kane in the attack.
2. Nathan Ake (Bournemouth)
Tottenham have been defensively all over the place so far this season, shipping 19 goals in 13 games. Mourinho must tighten his backline and Bournemouth star Nathan Ake would be a viable choice.
Nathan Ake, 24, who was linked (h/t The Daily Star) with Tottenham in June, has been one of Premier League’s most consistent defenders over the last couple of seasons.
The Dutchman would be ideal for Tottenham since the likes of Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen will be out of contract at the end of the season.
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At 24, Ake would be a long-term investment for Spurs and one who has the potential to solve the north London club’s defensive woes.