Andy Gray has claimed that Harry Winks and Giovani Lo Celso will both struggle to get into the Tottenham team for the rest of the season since Jose Mourinho is unlikely to change from his preferred three-man midfield of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Moussa Sissoko and Tanguy Ndombele.
On the evidence of recent performances and results, Mourinho seems to have struck the right balance with a midfield of Hojbjerg, Sissoko and Ndombele, with the former Lyon man given the freedom to join in the attack, while the other two protect the back four.
All three players put in excellent displays in the 2-0 win over Manchester City, with Lo Celso also making an immediate impact after coming off just past the hour mark, while Winks failed to even make the matchday squad on Saturday.
Mourinho has admitted that Ndombele and Lo Celso can play together once both players reach peak fitness but Grey believes that the Argentine is unlikely to get a look in any time soon as Mourinho likes to pack his midfield with athletes.
The pundit told beIN SPORTS (21/11/20 at 7:30 pm): “He’s got a midfield where I think it’s a typical Mourinho midfield. It’s big and it’s powerful.
“It’s not Harry Winks. He doesn’t start with Lo Celso. These are a bit light for him. He has got physical strength in there.
“Hojbjerg, Sissoko and Ndombele. They are all powerful athletes. And he likes that. If you look at the history of his teams. That’s what he likes.
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“So, he has got a year in, a team he likes. And you’ll notice when he can, he will pick about eight of them every game.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Grey is right about Winks as I believe he will likely be consigned to minutes in the Europa League for the next few weeks. However, I can see Jose starting Lo Celso ahead of Sissoko in matches where we expect the opposition to sit back in a low-block. A midfield of Hojbjerg, Sissoko and Ndombele will continue to be the Spurs boss’ preference in big games where we will be under the cosh in spells.
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