Spurs fans on Twitter have been discussing Jose Mourinho’s youth policy after some quotes from Nicky Butt on his time at Manchester United emerged.
Spurs fan account TranSPURS suggested that the Portuguese manager gets unnecessary criticism from the media over his apparent failure to promote youth players into the first team. However, Butt suggested otherwise to MUTV as he hailed Mourinho’s approach to youth during his time as boss of Manchester United, saying: “Mourinho was brilliant with me. He spoke to me every single day at breakfast and asked about the kids.”
During his time as Spurs boss, we have seen Japhet Tanganga emerge as a first-team player, although the Portuguese manager did regularly affirm that 18-year-old Troy Parrott wasn’t ready to be given a chance, despite the long-term injury suffered by Harry Kane earlier in the season.
Do you think Mourinho gets unnecessary criticism for his treatment of younger players?
Yes
No
Reaction from Spurs fans to Nicky Butt’s quotes on Mourinho and the so-called media agenda against him can be seen in the tweets below.
?? The media: "Tottenham's Jose Mourinho doesn't care about youth."
? #MUFC youth coach Nicky Butt: "Mourinho was brilliant with me. He spoke to me every single day at breakfast and asked about the kids."
This agenda ???#THFC #COYS pic.twitter.com/78TjoF39CX
— TranSPURS (@TranSPURS) April 28, 2020
Always trying to attack Mourinho whatever club he’s at
— Naomi (@Naomi06200013) April 28, 2020
Since Poch took over at Spurs Jose Mourinho has won: 1 X PL, 2 x League Cup, 1 X Europa league & 1 x community shield. But JoSe iS FiNiShEd
— John (@johnthfc17) April 28, 2020
He likes to sell them for a profit that’s all. He’s never had faith in youth players.
— Robert Blair (@RialbTrebor) April 28, 2020
While Poch got his son a game …
— Glory Glory (@gloryglorytott) April 28, 2020
With the circumstances that’s spurs are in. The Great Jose Mourinho has no choice but to put his faith in the youth
— Future Legend 1 (@buenorufus123) April 28, 2020
And he has
Tanganga is more or less a regular starter and Skipp has played well when called upon— shoaib (@A17_Shweb) April 28, 2020
Most of these Spurs fans seem to agree that Mourinho has put his faith in youth players so far at Spurs and that he gets unwarranted criticism from some in the media.
What do we think?
As well as Tanganga, we saw Oliver Skipp given his opportunity before the Premier League’s suspension, although it will be interesting to see if he continues to have faith in his younger players if he has a fully fit squad available to him if and when the Premier League resumes.