JOSE Mourinho made all the right noises in his first in-house interview as Spurs boss.
But that does not mean there are no nervous players waiting to find out what he really thinks of them.
Jose Mourinho has admitted to mistakes in the past but says Spurs have got a humble managerCredit: Getty – Contributor
So who could be the Special One’s special ones?
And who might soon find they have no future under the Portuguese?
SunSport runs through the squad and offers some ideas:
Special Ones
Harry Kane: Mourinho has always built his team around the leader of the line and Kane’s work-rate, intelligence and goal sense make him the ideal Jose player.
Spurs need him to stay, desperately, too.
Perhaps that means the captain’s armband, full-time.
Dele Alli: England star has struggled for much of the past year but Mourinho has long coveted the chance to work with him and will back himself to get Dele firing again.
Might play a bit further forward.
Heung-min Son: Energy, determination, speed goals and attitude make the Korean exactly what Mourinho looks for in his wide players.
He will be devastated for Pochettino but apply himself totally for the new manager.
Moussa Sissoko: Not always exactly popular with the Spurs fans although that has been turned round over the past 12 months.
Gives Mourinho physicality and legs, critical to the way he wants to play.
Eric Dier: Forgotten man of the Spurs squad after a year wrecked by illness and injury.
But Mourinho wanted to sign him at United and that means he starts in a good place.
Ability to speak Portuguese may be another factor.
Harry Kane could flourish under Jose MourinhoCredit: Getty – Contributor
Toby Alderweireld: Two years ago Mourinho wanted to do a swap deal with Spurs which would have seen him getting the Belgian and Anthony Martial going the other way.
He likes experience, especially at the back. Maybe that long-dangled contract could be signed after all.
Jan Vertonghen: Another in his last year and who looked like he might be eased out by Poch.
But has know-how and game-craft in abundance and very much the sort of defender you would expect Mourinho to like.
Danny Rose: England left-back has made it clear he is no fan of Daniel Levy and wanted to join Mourinho at United two years ago.
Spurs fans may need to bite their tongues if new boss shows his faith in Rose.
Davinson Sanchez: You need at least three centre-backs and Mourinho will like the look of the Colombian’s combative frame.
Might ask him to be more physical and aggressive, though.
Erik Lamela: A source of frustration for many Spurs fans but his willingness to do the dirty work on and off the ball will appeal to Mourinho’s approach to the game.
He has to stay fit, mind.
Tanguy Ndombele: The club record signing has only shown flashes of what Pochettino hoped he would bring to the table.
Likely to be involved further forward but you would expect him to be given licence to play.
Dele Alli could shed his overrated tag under the Special OneCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Not So Special Ones
Hugo Lloris: Injured skipper is out until the new year and his return date remains uncertain.
In the mean-time, he may lose the armband to Kane and see Paulo Gazzaniga stake his claim.
After seven years, the French captain may be expendable.
Serge Aurier: It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out Spurs’ right back woes are the first thing that need fixing.
Dumping the Ivorian would be a move that would be met with instant approval by the doubtful fans.
Lucas Moura: Brazilian does not seem to have recovered from blow of being omitted from Champions League Final.
A new manager equals a fresh start but Moura is not a natural tracker-back.
Juan Foyth: Poch protege has not played enough this season.
Mourinho may look for more physical central defenders and a genuine right back in January.
If so, not clear where Foyth gets a game although he may start for now.
Victor Wanyama: Something of a surprise to see he is still at the club. He won’t be for long.
Oliver Skipp: Faces a similar problem to Winks but starts in a worse position.
Mourinho values experience and the youngster does not have too much.
Unless he shows something impressive in training, he may be loaned out.
It may be a long way back at Spurs for Hugo Lloris after he recovers from his arm injuryCredit: Rex Features
Jury out
Harry Winks: Reinstalled as critical to England but might wonder where he fits into the Mourinho model, especially if the Portuguese opts for two defensive-minded central midfielders.
Christian Eriksen: Fans feel the Dane has been taking them for a ride and Mourinho may decide that ostracising him until he can be punted out in January is the smart call to make.
If he signs that new deal, everything changes.
Paulo Gazzaniga: Will get first chance to claim the goalkeeping spot in Lloris’ absence but Argentine has to show he is the real deal and not just a temporary solution.
Giovani Lo Celso: Spurs fans still do not know whether the on-loan Argentine is the real thing or an over-sold pretender.
Mourinho will make his decision pretty swiftly.
Ryan Sessegnon: Another who has barely played and is certain to get some tough love.
Then again, that did not harm Joe Cole, although it was less successful with Luke Shaw.
We shall see.
Ben Davies: Much will depend on Mourinho’s take on Sessegnon.
The Portuguese tends to prioritise the here and now over the future and that could be good for the Welshman, even if he knows he is a back-up.
Kyle Walker-Peters: Poch seemed to have given up on the youngster but he is a natural right-back.
If Mourinho wants to show he means what he says about the kids, KWP may be a beneficiary.
If not, it’s over for him at the club.
Spurs need a right-back more than any other position and Serge Aurier could be the first out the doorCredit: AFP or licensors
New Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho says he will not make the same mistakes he made in the past
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
