TOTTENHAM starlet Japhet Tanganga has become addicted to Monopoly during the coronavirus lockdown.
But he hopes he will soon be swapping the top hat for an England cap — thanks to boss Jose Mourinho.
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Spurs defender Japhet Tanganga has praised both Mauricio Pochettino and Jose Mourinho for his dramatic progressCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Japhet Tanganga is hoping to push on for full England honoursCredit: AFP or licensors
Many thought the Special One would give young players the boot when he took over in November.
But Tanganga has remained in and around the squad since his Premier League debut in the 1-0 home loss to Liverpool in January.
And the defender, 21, has shown he can more than hold his own alongside more experienced team-mates.
He said: “It’s been crazy. It just goes to show anything can happen.
“This time last year could I see myself in this position? I don’t think so. It just goes to show how quickly things can change in football.
“There have been moments where I wake up in the morning and remember the morning of the Liverpool game.
“It was disappointing to lose but that feeling of making my debut and remembering the messages from everyone is something I’ll always remember.
“This time has allowed me to sit back and reminisce about this breakthrough season. I just want to continue it.”
Lockdown seems to have come at the worst time for Tanganga, who has been keeping himself amused playing games with family and friends.
He said: “We like to play Blackjack — not gambling, just trying to get rid of the deck. And Uno.
“With my friends I play Monopoly online on PS4 — I’ve become really addicted.”
Now he is looking to replace that hotel on Park Lane, which as well as being in Monopoly was the name of a terrace at Tottenham’s old White Hart Lane ground, for a place in the England hotel.
Having been capped at numerous junior levels, Tan the Man is now eyeing a senior call.
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He said: “You have to have goals and one of mine is to be capped at senior level for England.
“All I can do is what I can on the pitch and leave it with the England manager to select me.”
Tanganga first caught the eye of former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino on their pre-season tour of Asia, when he marked Cristiano Ronaldo out of a game.
But it is under Mourinho that he has really thrived, showing his talent and versatility in several roles across the back.
Tanganga added: “It’s been a bit different, playing in positions I haven’t played in for a while — right-back and left-back.
“But it all comes down to one aspect, being able to defend.
“He has taught me a lot. In training he’s given me a lot of information and ways to improve.
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“How to defend one-v-one, how to defend set-pieces or work in wide areas and at corners.
“I feel playing right-back and left-back has added to my game and allowed me to be adaptable.
“It’s been very good, I’ve been learning a lot.”
Tanganga’s rise shows Mourinho’s reputation for overlooking youth might be unfair.
The Hackney-born star added: “I’m pretty sure when he was at Real Madrid, Raphael Varane was very young and in the team.
“The same at United where Scott McTominay came through.
“He’s the same as every manager — they want to give young players a chance but it’s up to the young player to show they’re capable of coping.
“It’s not just down to the manager wanting to play you, it’s down to the young player showing the determination that they want to play as well.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
