From Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – Tottenham have plenty of good players.
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Harry Kane – ready to explode. Son Heung-min – Sonaldo Nazario. Tanguy Ndombele – we had no midfield. Dele Alli – brother of Dele Alli. Gareth Bale – does he want to sit on the bench in Madrid?
And here was Manchester United. Ole Gunnar Solskjärers Manchester United. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in his Manchester United suit and Manchester United jacket. A United more united than ever since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. But what have they won?
Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford. Bruno Fernandes and Edinson Cavani. Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw. Won nothing under Sunshine.
Tottenham have been antagonists in their own story this season, repeatedly shooting themselves in the foot and playing without the intensity and courage they have become known for. The same players, different coaches.
They tried their hand at being the main characters in Sunday’s 3-1 loss to Man Utd. They played pretty well sometimes. Almost as if they have good players. Son who was an intelligent c *** triggered the game to life.
Edinson Cavani’s opening was ruled out for a foul on Son | Marc Atkins / Getty Images
But there was never any real intention to kill the game (which has often been the case this season). Spurs were happy with 1-0, happy with the chance that Man Utd would implode instead of forcing the problem.
Neither Spurs nor United looked like a team that could challenge for the biggest awards in the near future, but one is clearly much longer before the other right now. It’s a belief shared by Kane. Ready to explode.
The billion-pound stadium in north London has barely been occupied by a team worth calling it “home” for the two years it has been standing. It has been flashing, but nothing significant. What have they won?
Spurs are a club steeped in the style of history rather than substance, ironically. Two trophies in 20 years, three in 30. More critically acclaimed than clearly successful. What have they won?
Mourinho returned to his former side again Marc Atkins / Getty Images
Right now, Tottenham are far from being any of these things. A drawing tailored by Daniel Levy tore up by the same man himself in the quest for a potential shortcut to the top – but the only quick track to the top of the modern game comes through squad development, through good coaching or large investments. The same coach, different players.
Hot and cold, up and down, the atmosphere among fans online has been toxic and boring, nonsense and stunning. There is little that is redeeming life in Tottenham right now.
The hormonal nature of the Spurs is the reason why they have floundered in 2021. A faster race against either the top or the bottom would break the stagnant cycle they are stuck in. Without fans present in the game to give a litmus test of the general feeling among the supporters, it could be difficult for the hierarchy to make a tough call.
But the announcement on the pitch is now clear – it’s time for Jose Mourinho.
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