Former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has criticised Jose Mourinho for his treatment of Gedson Fernandes and claimed that the midfielder made a mistake by coming to Tottenham.
The Portugal Under-21 international arrived on an 18-month loan deal from Benfica in January of this year, with the option to make the deal permanent for £46million.
Fernandes’ loan spell at Spurs has not worked out as he would have hoped for after struggling for minutes since arriving in North London.
The midfielder has only made only one appearance so far this season and Mourinho recently admitted that he is open to ending Fernandes’ loan spell prematurely if Benfica want him back (SPORT TV via The Express).
Some Spurs fans on social media have sympathised with the 21-year-old for his lack of opportunities, while others suggested that he has not shown enough to warrant more game time.
Agbonlahor claimed that Mourinho lacks the patience to allow younger players to develop and instead wants readymade stars.
He told Football Insider: “Sometimes you don’t get time in football and especially with Jose Mourinho.
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“Throughout Jose Mourinho’s career he has not wanted players that need time. You look at Ryan Sessegnon who he got rid of.
“He wants players that are at their peak or ready to perform at the highest level.
“You don’t get time with Jose Mourinho. You don’t get six or seven games to find your feet with Jose Mourinho. You have to be ready straight away.
“I think that’s something Jose Mourinho has figured out with his Spurs side now. He prefers Pierre-Emille Hojbjerg, Moussa Sissoko and Tanguy Ndombele.
“They’ve been playing recently because he knows what he’s going to get from them. They’re strong athletes who can play as one.
“The front three picks itself with Gareth Bale, Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane.
“I feel like Gedson Fernandes probably chose the wrong club and wrong manager to get better. Jose Mourinho does not give you time, you need to be on it straight away.”
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