JOSE MOURINHO has told Tottenham fans to respect Christian Eriksen – even if he does decide to leave.
The Dane is linked with a move to Inter Milan and the Special One thinks the club’s fans need to remember what he has achieved for them before giving him stick.
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Speaking after the North Londoners’ 2-1 FA Cup third round replay victory over Middlesbrough, Mourinho made his thoughts on Erisken clear.
Asked about the playmaker’s conduct amid continuing speculation linking him with a move to Inter, Mourinho said: “Christian played very well.
“Very professional. What I expect from him.
“If his decision is to leave, he has to leave with his head up. Fans have always to respect.”
On the win over Middlesbrough, Mourinho added: “3-0 was so close so many times. I told my players at half time if we don’t score 3-0 then if 2-1 we would be in trouble and it happened.
“We knew the opponents were hard. They brought on Gestede and went direct and made problems and when it was 2-1 we knew it was going to be difficult.
“We tried our best, the boys are trying their best. They dealt well with many set piece situations.
“We did lots of things well, we conceded the goal, a bit frustrating, but more frustrating was that we did not score three, four or five.”
“In this moment [the FA Cup] is not the priority. The priority is to play a difficult match against Watford in the Premier League.
“When Southampton comes it will be the priority.”
One tweeted: “Really appreciate what he done for us, but he has to go. He has gotten so bad.”
Spurs fans online reacted in mixed fashion to their manager’s comments about Eriksen.
Another added: “Shame he has declined so much. He was one of my favourite players 3-4 years ago.
“Not now. Probably my least favourite.”
Before Youssef pointed the finger directly at the fans themselves and said: “He has been willing to leave since 2018 and Levy kept him against his will by refusing every offer for him.
“Spurs fans hating on one the best players in their history is just dumb tbh.”
On a more positive note, youngster Japhet Tanganga featured again for Spurs against the Teesiders and Mourinho was full of praise.
He said: “I trust him. I know the way he can read the game and learn.
“He absorbs all the information.
“He is not that kind of modern kid who is worried with pathways, the pathway is to work hard and take the opportunity which he did.
“Now people know how good he is.”
Spurs face Southampton at St Mary’s in the fourth round.
