Opinion: The thing I have noticed about Jose Mourinho and Japhet Tanganga

It was reported by Football Insider back in November that Japhet Tanganga had turned down Tottenham’s first offer of the new contract at the club.

Tanganga’s current deal is set to expire in the summer of 2020, meaning it is now or never for Spurs to tie the promising centre-back down to a long-term contract.

The report stated that Tottenham were working hard to keep hold of the 20-year-old and were expected to return with a new offer, although we have heard nothing since.

However, what I have noticed is that Jose Mourinho has started to include the young defender in his matchday squads, starting back in mid-December against Bayern Munich.

Tanganga was an unused substitute on the bench that day, as he has been for the last two Premier League matches too (TransferMarkt).

This seems like an attempt to convince the youngster that he will get opportunities at Spurs under the new manager, although I think it is half-hearted from Mourinho.

Tanganga should have started that nothing game in Munich to get him some first-team minutes, and it is probably about time that he is used in the dying minutes as an extra body to see games out.

Hopefully, as Spurs start winning games more comfortably, we will see this happen. Fingers crossed it isn’t too late by then.

However, it is important to note that it seems Mourinho wants this kid to stick around and is prepared to show Tanganga that.

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