Jose Mourinho said that Moussa Sissoko “didn’t fit his needs” – which is why the Frenchman found himself on the bench against West Ham on Saturday.
Sissoko had started all of Spurs’ 12 Premier League matches this season under Mauricio Pochettino, but was left out of Mourinho’s starting line-up at the London Stadium.
Instead, the 56-year-old opted to start with Harry Winks and quite predictably Eric Dier, who he was once keen to sign during his Manchester United days back in the summer of 2017, although he ended up signing Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic – with Tottenham not interested in selling.
Mourinho admitted his reasons for the English duo starting – stating that Winks’ passing ability and Dier’s positional sense is why Sissoko wasn’t required to start in East London.
Mourinho told BBC Sport: “What made me [start Winks and Dier] was the positional play of the four attacking players. I needed one midfielder that was more positional and I needed one midfield that was more a passer of the ball.
“Of course, when I see Moussa, he is a very good player, but he is very different than my needs. I need that stability from Dier and I need the kid to move the ball faster, also positionally and also to find the attacking players in the positions we want them to find the ball.”
Despite his omission, Sissoko could come back into the side when Tottenham return to Champions League action against Olympiacos on Tuesday.
Who do you think should start in midfield for Mourinho’s men against the Greek outfit?
Eriksen must start of all our players he is very much the flat track bully. When its easy against a team we should dominate Eriksen is your man.
I suspect you’re entirely in the minority. Eriksen hasn’t played well in 6 months. He’s checked out and has zero interest in getting his shirt dirty for the cause. So no. He shouldn’t be starting. Try actually watching him before you speak such rot.
Spot on
Spot on
You suspected wrong. He is not even a Spurs fan. I suspect he is an Arse fan.
Stay with the Arsenal blog. You are obviously not a Spurs fan.
Neither Eriksen nor Rose added anything when they subbed in. In their own minds , they’ve already left the club. Neither should ever start again. Questionable if they should even play.
Best outfit was our offensive display . Proven weakness our defensive ! When ball don’t move fast up , we fail !Toby , Sanchez were fighting , Dier is sleepy hallow ! New gaffer brought free play in midfield.
Mourinho is the tactician. That’s the whole point. He’ll make his plan and play the appropriate players which can best execute it. Not the other way round.
I’ll be interested to see what happens when Ndombele is fully fit and how Lo Celso fits in as well.
Lamela, Wanyama and Skipp will also have to fight to get on the bench.
Not sure why Sessegnon wasn’t involved, we need to get him plsying asap
Ndombele will get in for Winks I imagine, but I can’t see anyway Lo Celso gets in to that system. I suspect he’ll be the sacrificial lamb. Particularly sad as he’s been our best player since breaking in to the side.
I would like to see a midfield of Mussa and Ndombele
Musa holding while Ndombele finds the passes, as he is actually a very good passer of the ball
I think Lo Celso will be strong competition for Moura and Dele, don’t think players on the team sheet will be nailed on they will have to earn their place