Here are the Tottenham Hotspur morning headlines for Wednesday, June 24.
Mourinho responds to Ndombele bust-up claims
Spurs boss Jose Mourinho says his relationship with club-record signing Tanguy Ndombele has not broken down.
French outlet TF1, via Get French Football , claimed last night (Tuesday) the midfielder had told Mourinho he no longer wanted to work under him and the pair were not on speaking terms.
But after Tottenham's 2-0 win over West Ham United, Mourinho was quick to dismiss the report of a bust-up with Ndombele, who has struggled for form since arriving at Spurs last summer.
"You know, it's not just him,” Mourinho told reporters at his post-match press conference . “I try to do the best for my team. I cannot start the game with 12 or 13 players, I try to do the best for the team.
"Sometimes I apologise to my players that are not my first choice because I feel their work in training deserves something more than I give.
“But I have to do my job the best I can and I felt for these two matches I didn't need him."
Kane makes fitness admission
Spurs star Harry Kane insists he is as fit as ever after scoring his first goal in six months in Tottenham’s 2-0 win over West Ham.
The England international’s fitness was questioned after a subdued display against Manchester United last week, his first game since New Year’s Day due to injury and football’s suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But any fears over Kane’s fitness were put to bed against West Ham. While perhaps not yet at his sharpest, the striker again completed 90 minutes and took his goal expertly.
“I have been working very hard all through my rehab through lockdown,” Kane told Sky Sports after the victory. “Then having the warm-up games leading to the first Premier League game.
“I feel as fit as I probably have done before. It has been a chance to rest and recover and work on a few things I haven’t been able to over the years. I am feeling in good shape.”
Vertonghen’s Ajax return off
Ajax director of football Marc Overmars has confirmed Jan Vertonghen will not return to the club once his contract at Spurs expires.
The centre-back has signed a short-term deal to see out the 2019/20 campaign with Tottenham but is then set to leave after eight seasons in north London.
After much speculation about his future , a return to Ajax appeared likely for Vertgonhen.
However, after holding talks with the 33-year-old’s agent, Overmars has now ruled out a move for the Belgium international.
“I did speak to his agent but we made other choices,” former Arsenal winger Overmars told Ajax TV .
“Jan is no longer a left-back, either. We have confidence in Sven Botman and Lisandro Martínez can also play there.”
