Big blow as Victor Wanyama deleted from Tottenham UCL squad

Jose Mourinho, Victor Wanyama [Courtesy]

Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama has been omitted from Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions League squad.

Spurs boss Jose Mourinho says he hasn’t told Wanyama personally why he was left out according to the Sun.

"He's been ill for three days. I haven't seen him and I didn't have the chance to tell him. When he is back, I will try to explain,” said Mourinho on Tuesday.

Mourinho was speaking at a news conference ahead of Wednesday's FA Cup fourth-round replay with Southampton.

The North London club remain without the services of injured midfielder Moussa Sissoko their talisman Harry Kane.

Spurs Full Squad

List A

Toby Alderweireld, Dele Alli, Serge Aurier, Steven Bergwijn, Ben Davies, Eric Dier, Gedson Fernandes, Paulo Gazzaniga, Harry Kane, Eric Lamela, Hugo Lloris, Giovani Lo Celso, Lucas Moura, Tanguy Ndombele, Davinson Sanchez, Ryan Sessegnon, Moussa Sissoko, Son Heung-Min, Jan Vertonghen, Michel Vorm, Harry Winks

List B

Jamie Bowden, Timothy Eyoma, Juan Foyth, Troy Parrott, Oliver Skipp, Japhet Tanganga, Harvey White Alfie Whiteman

Wanyama has lost his place in Mourinho’s plans as plenty of central midfield options are available with the likes of Sissoko, Ndombele, Winks, Lo Celso, and Eric Dier. Injuries and his match fitness concerns have not helped the midfielder either.

The ‘Lion of Muthurwa’ as he (Wanyama) is popularly known by Kenyans has not started a single Premier League game in the 2019/20 season.

The former Southampton star has been restricted to just four appearances this campaign, playing a total of 122 minutes.

Spurs have reportedly tried to sell him on in the last two summers but to no avail. He has 18 months left on his contract.

Wanyama, who was signed by former manager Mauricio Pochettino for £11.5million (Sh2 billion) in 2016, made 47 appearances in his first season at Tottenham but only 24 the following term as his popularity under the Argentine dwindled.

Before the January transfer window deadline, Mourinho revealed it was difficult for the club to find suitors for the defensive midfielder.

Wanyama was linked with a move to European clubs such as West Ham, Bayer Leverkusen, Fiorentina, Amiens, Lazio, Celtic, Norwich City Aston Villa and Galatasaray.

Wanyama became the first-ever Kenyan player to score in the UEFA Champions League when he scored the first goal in Celtic's 2–1 win over Barcelona on 7 November 2012.

The Kenyan talisman has earned over 50 caps for Harambee Stars since making his international debut in May 2007 at the age of 15.