Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur are top of the Premier League.
It’s only November and there are 29 more matches to be played, but still, Spurs are top, and their title hopes have been incited once more.
Tottenham have had a toxic relationship with near misses in previous seasons. Always yesterday’s almost team and tomorrow’s maybe team, but never truly seizing the day.
Last year, after several heartbreaks, and a disturbing run of bad form, Daniel Levy turned to Jose Mourinho, an unlikely hero, but also a proven winner.
🗓️ 𝙊𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧…
Jose Mourinho became our Head Coach 👊#THFC ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/Xig58vY8hM
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 20, 2020
The move made sense for both parties. Tottenham on a quest for silverware, and Jose on a quest to restore his glory days. Both often written off, Spurs and the Special One, a happy marriage.
It took a bit of time, and some investment in the side, but Spurs are finally playing like a bonafide Jose Mourinho side.
Piere Emile Højbjerg‘s addition to the side has proven to be a masterstroke. Højbjerg has brought an assuredness in the middle of the park Tottenham have lacked since the departure of Moussa Dembele.
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg for Spurs in the Premier League this season:
⬢ Most touches
⬢ Most passes
⬢ Most tackles made
⬢ Most ball recoveries
⬢ Most fouls concededJosé Mourinho has a new favourite player. 😤 pic.twitter.com/w8jzVSUxSG
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 23, 2020
Though Dele Alli’s constant omission seemed to initially be a worry, Mourinho has rejuvenated Ndombele in the no. 10 role. The Frenchman has been impressive this season, his strength, press resistance, and passing a welcome addition to the Spurs side.
Jose’s use of Kane and Son has also been key to Spurs’ early success. The Englishman has been tasked with dropping deep and making use of his passing range, and the South Korean tasked with exploiting the spaces left behind by his captain. Consequently, their output has exploded.
Harry Kane has provided the most Premier League assists this season (9).
Heung-Min Son has scored the most Premier League goals this season (9).
Spurs are on cloud nine. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/NAnLShZik5
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 21, 2020
Tottenham have gone from the swashbuckling high-intensity side they were under Pochettino to a more compact counter-attacking machine and the results have been undeniable. This season, Jose and his Hotspurs have taken 20 points from 27 available, losing only once so far.
In some games, they rip teams apart, and in some others, they fight their way to the finish line. The games against both Manchester clubs are a perfect example. United fell to the swagger and City to the steel.
Spurs 8-1 Manchester
That's It. That's the Tweet. pic.twitter.com/RB5XbGMIRR
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) November 21, 2020
The difference between this Jose side and previous Spurs’ sides is that this Tottenham team seems to always get the job done. It’s not the prettiest on some days, but it’s effective.
The next test for this Tottenham side comes when they face Chelsea at the bridge this weekend, a fixture that could be pivotal in this season’s title race.
Liverpool are lurking and Chelsea are not far behind and so a two, or even three-way title race could be on the cards.
Can Jose’s Spurs go all the way? Only time will tell, but if anyone can deliver a title to the silverware starved Spurs supporters, it’s the Special One.
