Robinson backs up Mourinho’s controversial claim about 24-year-old

Former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Paul Robinson has backed Jose Mourinho’s earlier claim that he would not swap Giovani Lo Celso for Bruno Fernandes.

Fernandes has been an impressive addition for Manchester United since arriving at the club in January with his performances having given Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men a cutting-edge in attack.

While Lo Celso had a slow start to the season due to injury problems, he has slowly grown into the Premier League and has now arguably established himself as one of Spurs’ most important players.

It was posed to Mourinho earlier this month that Tottenham could have landed Fernandes instead of the Argentine last summer to which he suggested that he would not swap the former Real Betis star for any other midfielder (Sky Sports).

Reports indicate that the Spurs boss and his coaching staff expect the 24-year-old to become a break out star in the Premier League.

Robinson seemingly shares Mourinho’s affinity for Lo Celso and revealed that the Argentine’s versatility has caught him by surprise.

The former Spurs number one told Football Insider: “I would like to have them both![Lo Celso and Fernandes] Two top-quality players.

“Lo Celso has shown a side to his game that not many people, including myself, knew that he had.

“He is not afraid to do the hard yards and play as a holding midfielder as well as an attacking midfielder.

“I certainly would not swap him for Bruno Fernandes. Two outstanding players but Lo Celso has become key to what Spurs do.

“He’s settled and adapted to life in the Premier League very easily and very quickly.

“He looks to be a very astute signing along with Bergwijn. They are the type of signings that Spurs need. They have changed the team.

“Fernandes is a top player but I would not swap him for Lo Celso.”

Spurs Web Opinion

This Fernandes/Lo Celso comparison does not make too much sense as they are both different players. The Man Utd star is much more about getting one or two touches and making the difference with quick thinking in the final third.

While Lo Celso showed at Betis last season that he can play as a number 10, his skill set also enables him to play a more box to box role. He is more of the Modric-mould and likes to dictate the game from midfield. I certainly would not swap Lo Celso for any other midfielder either as I think his ceiling his potentially very high.

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