Harry Diamond
Jose Mourinho admits Tottenham can’t match the spending power of Manchester United and Chelsea but is confident the club will be able to improve their options this summer.
The north London side have seen their financial power limited following the move into their new stadium and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, with a repeat of last year’s significant spend – including a club-record deal for Tanguy Ndombele – not expected this summer, the club having already had to take out a £175 million loan.
Mourinho has watched as rivals Chelsea have already secured marquee arrivals in Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner, whilst Manchester United continue to be linked with a British transfer record move for Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho.
The Spurs boss has conceded his side are unable to match the finances of his former sides but is hopeful his side can secure sensible and smart business as they bid to challenge for honours next season.
“We know that we are going to be in the same league, in the same world, as clubs that are going to do completely different to us,” Mourinho said at his pre-match press conference ahead of the visit of Manchester United on Friday.
"The 18-year-old kid that I met a few years ago is now a man, and a man with principles” 🗣
Jose Mourinho on @MarcusRashford then and now… 👏 pic.twitter.com/ngIP6i4FvT
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) June 18, 2020
“You have now examples already of clubs investing and making important movements in the market and we are still nine matches away from the end of the season. But I think we are going always to be very balanced which is what Tottenham normally is.
“Would I expect us not to do anything and to stay exactly with the same squad that we have in this moment? My answer is no.
“I expect us to do some little important things and if we do our little important things and we improve in two, three positions that we need to improve in the squad, I am completely open to the challenge, I am completely supportive to the board, to the owners.
“And let’s go for it. But in this moment I am not even thinking about that because I am focused on these nine matches.
“It’s obvious for us that there are a certain level of options that are not for us. We have to admit that. But that’s a normal situation.
“So United bought Bruno Fernandes, Chelsea’s buying Ziyech and Werner, they can do what they want. It’s not our problem. We focus on ourselves.
“We are going to improve our squad in the way we can do it. No problem.
Kane to start against Manchester United, but Mourinho unsure of his form
See also – From Benfica to Spurs – Rating each of Jose Mourinho managerial reigns