Even though José Mourinho’s relationship with Tottenham Hotspur’s squad seems a little tense at times, there are some players who make it clear they love the coach.
One of them is Lucas Moura, who was featured in an interview with ESPN Brasil at the weekend.
The 28-year-old was asked about the pressure that Mourinho has been facing at the club, and Tottenham players not going public to defend the boss.
“It’s kind of funny, that someone has to defend Mourinho. His history and his size defend him,” Lucas Moura told ESPN Brasil.
“Everyone is in the same boat. In that game against Zagreb, which was perhaps where these criticisms were unleashed, it was everyone’s fault. We players who entered the field, we were fully able to qualify, to make a good game. And we didn’t do that. The team went very apathetic on the field, we were unable to assert ourselves. Of course, the coach has his share of the blame, but I think the main culprits were us players.”
The chat with reporter João Castelo Branco was recorded before Spurs’ away draw against Newcastle United, so that’s why there weren’t any comments on that result.
The Brazilian highlighted the importance of the League Cup final against Manchester City, which will be played at the end of the month.
“Now the fight is to finish well in the Premier League, in the Champions League group. We have a title to conquer against a difficult opponent that we will have to face, but in a final anything can happen. Mourinho has all our respect. If there is someone who knows the way to win the title and to take the team to glory, it’s him.”
Lucas Moura also talked about the change in his position, as he’s been used in a more central role this season. He claims this may be his best form since he joined Spurs, and is glad to be more involved in the game.
“I’m feeling very well, very comfortable. In fact, it’s a position that I already played and played a lot in the grassroots categories. At the academy I was never a frontman, I was always a midfielder, a creative midfielder, who got to the front and also liked to help in the defensive sector. It’s a position that I feel very comfortable with. I’m a guy who likes to touch the ball, I like to look for the game, I like to create plays. And that position gives me that. When I play at the wing I get a little more stuck, I have less space, I touch the ball less, so I’m more limited.
“It fit very well with Mourinho, the tactical scheme he is using, with the players that we also have. It fit very well in that position, I feel very good there, very comfortable. I hope to continue helping the team a lot, I’ve been enjoying it a lot, enjoying this position a lot. I’m feeling free.”
