Jose Mourinho has now admitted that he does not think he can compete in the Carabao Cup this season, a competition many would view as Spurs’ best chance of silverware.
Spurs are due to face Chelsea on Tuesday night in North London, but must then play against at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium just 48 hours later in the Europa League.
Mourinho claimed that, as the Europa League brings in much more money for the club, he must prioritise the knockout tie against Maccabi Haifa over the London derby.
Football London report that making it to the group stages of the Europa League this season would rake in £15m for Tottenham, a welcomed bonus amidst the COVID-19 times.
Mourinho said (Football London): “What would you do in my position? I would like to fight for the Carabao but I don’t think I can.
“We have a game on Thursday that gives us not as much money as the Champions League but the group phase of the Europa League gives us a certain amount that for a club like us is very important.
“It’s a competition with a possible group phase that gives us a good chance to go through to the next knockout stage so this game on Thursday is very important for us.”
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When one journalist claimed that it may be a good time to face Chelsea after they conceded three to West Brom at the weekend, Mourinho was in stark disagreement.
The Spurs head coach pointed towards the fact that Chelsea had an extra day of rest and no Europa League to play before their next Premier League game.
Jose added: “You’re joking or you’re serious? Chelsea played Saturday, they have Sunday and Monday then they play Tuesday and then they play again on the weekend.
“So their fantastic squad, if the manager decides not to rotate he can perfectly play with the players that he wants. As you know and forgetting the past Thursday, we played on the Sunday, now we play on the Tuesday, we play on the Thursday, we play on the Sunday again.
“I think Sonny was just the first [injury]. More will come. So he was the first, but more will come.”
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