Eyebrows were raised when Tottenham Hotspur decided to replace Mauricio Pochettino with Jose Mourinho a year ago. However, their impressive start to the Premier League season suggests it was a very shrewd move.
Spurs are perched at the top of the table on 20 points, ahead of title-holders Liverpool on goal difference, after nine games.
They’ve only dropped points in three games, with their only loss coming on the opening day of the season against Everton. Also, their two draws could’ve been easily avoided. The 1-1 draw with Newcastle United was because of a 90+7-minute penalty conceded, due to VAR madness, while the 3-3 draw with West Ham – having led 3-0 – was just a bizarre capitulation.
Despite these results, Mourinho has seemingly brainwashed his side into grinding out results and as we have seen from the ‘All or Nothing’ documentary, he’s beginning to change the ‘nice guys’ mentality of his players.
This was evident in their 2-0 victory over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on November 21. Spurs’ rigorous work ethic off- the-ball and the astuteness of the players was reminiscent of Mourinho’s previous title-winning sides.
The north Londoners have the best defence in the league having only conceded nine goals. In fact, the centre-back pairing of Eric Dier and Toby Alderweireld have only let in one goal in four games.
But this is not a Spurs side who don’t entertain. Their counter-attacking football eclipses their defensive work. Thrashings of Manchester United (6-1) and Southampton (5-2) – both away from home – prove just how formidable they are going forward.
Harry Kane has seemingly revolutionised the No 9 position. The England captain often drops deep into a playmaker role, to then spray balls into the path of Son Heung-min or any of the other midfield runners.
The story of the season so far has been the incredible partnership of Son and Kane. The South Korea forward is the league’s top goalscorer with nine goals, while Kane leads the assist table with a staggering nine alongside his seven goals. The pair have combined for a goal 29 times in Premier League history, only Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba having assisted each other more (36).
Tottenham had arguably the best transfer window out of the whole league. All the headlines and social media excitement were for Gareth Bale’s return to the club where he made his name. Yet, the signings of Sergio Reguilon (£27m from Real Madrid) and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (£20m from Southampton) have really improved the starting XI.
Hojbjerg has cemented his place in the side as the midfield general, his tireless work off the ball being reminiscent of a rabid dog. He’s been one of the signings of the season so far.
Additionally, the purchase of Matt Doherty (£15m from Wolves), Joe Rodon (£11m from Swansea) and the loan signing of Benfica striker Carlos Vinicius has made Spurs’ squad one of the deepest in the league.
Thanks to these recent acquisitions, the hectic December schedule doesn’t look as daunting as it would’ve done last season. Next month Tottenham have fixtures in the Premier League, Europa League and the Carabao Cup but with the squad Mourinho has assembled, they will be looking to progress in both cup competitions and continue their recent league form.
The run-up into the New Year is set to be a real test for Mourinho’s men as they must play Chelsea, Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Leicester and Wolves before 2021.
Although Liverpool remain favourites for the league, this manic Premier League season has shown that anything really can happen and that Tottenham have every reason to be confident that they’ll end their 59 year-wait for a league title.
By Jon Bazley