‘Great example’ – Reported Spurs target receives rave review from Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has spoken very highly of Bryan Cristante’s importance to Roma amidst reports linking the midfielder with a move to Tottenham.

Over the last few days, multiple outlets (TEAMtalk and Sky Sports) have reported that while Spurs were initially planning on just signing a centre-back and an attacker in January, the North Londoners are now also considering swooping for a midfielder after Rodrigo Bentancur’s injury.

Cristante is thought to be one of the midfielders on Tottenham’s radar, with Il Romanista revealing last month that the Lilywhites had identified the 28-year-old as the ideal fit for Ange Postecoglou’s system.

The report stated that while Mourinho is desperate to hold on to the versatile Italy international, a sizable offer from Spurs would be hard for the Giallorossi to turn down.

A couple of weeks ago, Il Messaggero (via TMW) asserted that Tottenham are willing to offer €30m (£26.2m) for the midfielder, which Roma would find ‘difficult to say no to’.

Mourinho praises Cristante amid links with Spurs

Mourinho has now reiterated just how important the midfielder is to his plans, seemingly sending a clear message to the Stadio Olimpico hierarchy.

The former Spurs head coach remarked that he wishes he had four or five versions of the 28-year-old instead of just one.

He told Corriere dello Sport (as relayed by Roma Press): “Unfortunately we only have one Cristante. If there were three or four versions of him they would all play.

“However, we only have one and he is a great example for the others, he plays with a very high concentration without any kind of superficiality.”

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Mourinho would hate to lose Cristiante and he would be particularly irritated if it is Tottenham who secure the midfielder’s signature. So, one would expect the Portuguese coach to fight tooth-and-nail to keep the 28-year-old at the Italian capital.