Mourinho sends powerful message to Wanyama, reveals why he is not in his line-up

Wanyama is good and will soon be in the team, Mourinho says

Tottenham Hotspur new manager Jose Mourinho has praised midfielder Victor Wanyama despite failing to field him.

The 28-year-old midfielder, who has featured sparingly for Spurs this season faces tough opposition in Spurs’ midfield from likes of Tanguy Ndombele, Harry Winks, Moussa Sissoko, Oliver Skipp and Eric Dier, who all look more likely to start ahead of him.

It was noticeable again today that the Kenyan captain was not in the starting line-up nor on the bench for Tottenham’s match against Bournemouth, sparking speculation over his future at the club.

Despite not including him in his line-up since joining Tottenham as a manager, Mourinho hailed Wanyama as a ‘very good player’, but admitted that he may find it tough to include him straight into the starting line-up.

Mourinho told Football.London: “I know how good Victor is, I know he is not playing lately. Of course, when you don’t play regularly, you lose a little bit of that match condition.

“He is fit, he is fine and has no physical problems at all. But one thing is to be fit and another is to be match fitness, match intensity, and match pace.”

 Wanyama’s career since he joined Spurs has been marred by bursts of nagging injuries, which have kept him out of action in crucial parts of the season, and Mourinho feels he should play regularly.

“He needs to play and at this moment, in this phase – me just arriving and trying to organise a team and trying to get good results after the run – it is difficult to bring him to the team.

“The ideal situation was for him to play and then when he plays he will be back to what Victor is and Victor is a very good player.”

With all signs pointing towards the exit door, Daily Record reported that Celtic manager Neil Lennon is interested in Victor Wanyama after the 28-year-old fell down the pecking order at Tottenham’s midfield.

"(We're looking) for a player like Wanyama, it's about availability,’’ he said.

"They (Tottenham) have had a change of manager, then there's affordability.

"Would I like Wanyama in the building? Of course.

"But it may not be an area we are looking to add to because of the way the midfield is functioning.

"We are looking at the forward area that may be the one area we are looking strengthen."

Wanyama has made just three appearances this season for the London club.