Jose thrives in the test of time

Tottenham’s 2-0 victory over Manchester City was a masterclass in tactics. The game was like a reunion tribute concert for Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho, old foes who love to dislike one another. Two contrasting styles, but two equally successful ones too.

It was all we expected. Manchester City dominated and kept the ball for the majority of the game, but as Jose said after “They can take the ball home, I take the three points” which sums him up beautifully. Spurs were street smart and were dug in so deeply in the trenches they are immovable. We still believe Mourinho is building a title winning team at Spurs and that City win was the perfect showpiece for our theory.

Get Spurs at 5/1 or 6/1 to win the Premier League

Many felt modern football had passed Mourinho by and that he was outdated. He was labelled a dinosaur by pundits, but perhaps like an alligator, this dinosaur can still thrive today.

For us neutrals and connoisseurs of the game, it gets better. The fixture list gives us a double header of Jose, with a trip to Chelsea due on Sunday, his old playground. A club where his legacy was built, then tarnished, then re-built to a smaller degree. A club where he now seeks revenge and the ultimate payback.

At the helm is of course his former player Frank Lampard which adds more peppers to the spice level. It’s Jose ball v Lampard ball, and again two different styles combined. We expect Chelsea to attack like any top heavy team should. They will create and will keep the ball, but will they carve through a compact midfield and tight Spurs back line?

Spurs are dominant on the ball and smart when off it and that often makes the difference. Being tactically sound when not in possession makes it easier to contain an opponent who love to have the ball. It’s a moving chess game with only Queens as players.

The reality is that Mourinho is riding the wave and he’s in his favourite position. He’s home in London with a club that have backed him to build. New signings like Pierre-Emile Hojberg are so Jose Mourinho they look like they’ve been playing together for a decade.

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg for Spurs in the Premier League this season:

⬢ Most touches
⬢ Most passes
⬢ Most tackles made
⬢ Most ball recoveries
⬢ Most fouls conceded

José Mourinho has a new favourite player. pic.twitter.com/w8jzVSUxSG

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 23, 2020

His experience will be the difference against Chelsea and in this clash we expect the old master to thwart the apprentice. A win for Spurs would mean they must be taken seriously and with Mourinho promising Spurs will never be Spursy again, we’re backing them to go all the way to the title this season.

Jose Mourinho, this year is the year of the alligator and once more you are proving that no matter what, being tactically disciplined is always the right answer.

Get Spurs to beat Chelsea at 27/10 or 3.7