JOSE MOURINHO has warned Christian Eriksen he will pick the team with the future in mind – casting doubt over the Dane’s involvement under the Special One.
The playmaker started on the bench against West Ham on Saturday and could face further spells on the sidelines after his manager’s comments.
Jose Mourinho has warned Christian Eriksen he will consider the future when deciding whether to pick himCredit: AFP or licensors
Speaking ahead of Tottenham’s Champions League clash with Olympiakos tomorrow, Mourinho was asked about Eriksen’s role in the squad.
Eriksen is keen to leave North London and has spoken of his desire for a “new challenge”.
Mourinho was quick to respond, claiming Eriksen’s selection will be based on a “perspective of the future”.
Pressed further on exactly what was said, Mourinho rervealed he had talks with the Dane.
But remaining coy, he explained: “I’m not going to tell you what we said.
“Just between me and him – and Amazon.”
Despite the seemingly veiled jibe, Mourinho added Eriksen is “committed, loves the club and is one of us”.
He added: “The important thing is that he’s committed with us so let’s not talk about his future, let’s not talk about what is going to happen.
“Is he leaving? Is he staying? Let’s talk about his commitment for the club and for his colleagues and for the project and he’s with us.
“My decisions about starting him or not starting, selecting or not select, will be based on a perspective of a future.
“I cannot hide that. It will also be based on a perspective of a future.
“We have a present and in football we have to focus on the present, in this case the game tomorrow, but it’s a club where you have to think about the future.
“These important decisions obviously they have an influence on my decisions as a head coach, but the important thing is that Christian staying or leaving, he’s that type of guy who easily I could understand.
“A proper guy, loves the club, loves his colleagues, amazing colleague in the dressing room. So it doesn’t matter what, he’s one of us until the last day.”
These latest comments add fuel to the fire which started ahead of the game at London Stadium on Saturday.
Mourinho claimed he needed to “understand what is in Christian’s mind or heart” before making a decision on his future.
Meanwhile, the Portuguese also revealed there is “no chance” of Tottenham signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The pair worked together at Manchester United, but the Special One has no interest in signing him for Spurs.
He said: “You are right about the connection – but we have one of the top strikers in England.
“It doesn’t make any sense of a striker of Zlatan’s dimension to come to a club where we have Harry Kane.”
Jose Mourinho says he is not thinking of Champions League glory yet
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
