Tottenham Hotspur were in desperate need of a new talisman in midfield after Christian Eriksen left the club for Inter Milan last month in the January transfer window.
However, it seems as if a potential replacement is already within their midst, as Giovani Lo Celso has consistently stepped up to the plate of late.
After a tricky start to his Tottenham career under Pochettino and then Mourinho, Lo Celso has managed to put his problems behind him in recent weeks.
The Argentine has been handed consistent starts across all competitions, rewarding Mourinho’s faith with some incredible performances.
Not only does the midfield man create space, chances, and goals, but he also seems delighted to track back and get stuck into a challenge for his team.
Mourinho has been praising Lo Celso’s skill and personality in his press conference today, and the Special One simply could not say enough about his new creative spark.
He said (Charlie Eccleshare):
When a new manager comes to the club and doesn’t give you chances you can think he’s not in love with me. He was not as lucky as some players, who got a big chance to play. With Gio no, so he had to be strong enough to cope with that.
— Charlie Eccleshare (@CDEccleshare) February 14, 2020
With his work, his personality… I think he can play everywhere. He can play No 10, No 8, double midfield player with Winks. He can play on the right or on the left. I think he can play everywhere. I’m so, so happy with him – and that’s it. I like him very, very much.
— Charlie Eccleshare (@CDEccleshare) February 14, 2020