Skip to content

Jose Mourinho on Arsenal vs Tottenham, Spurs 'chemistry' and derbies

Watch Arsenal vs Tottenham on Sky Sports Premier League from 4pm on Super Sunday

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Jose Mourinho looks ahead to Arsenal vs Tottenham and gives his take on the 'chemistry' at Spurs

Jose Mourinho assessed the importance of an early-season north London derby as he returned to the Sky Sports studio - and wondered whether the chemistry has changed at Tottenham.

Rivals Arsenal and Tottenham meet in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Super Sunday and Mourinho - back to give his expert take on the big clash - thinks the Emirates encounter could prove key even at this early stage in the 2019/20 season.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Ahead of the North London derby, Jose Mourinho explains why derby match are so special to him.

Live Renault Super Sunday

"I think both [need a result]," Mourinho said. "Just three or four weeks in and it already looks like Manchester City and Liverpool will finish first and second - or second and first!

"Can Tottenham or Arsenal be there and push? Today is important because if they don't [win], the distance is there already."

BURNLEY, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: X during the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Liverpool FC at Turf Moor on August 31, 2019 in Burnley, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Image: Jose Mourinho expects Liverpool and Manchester City to battle for the title again

Tottenham have taken just 15 points from 15 games and, when asked about the potential reasons for Spurs' recent struggles, Mourinho pinpointed the team "chemistry".

"I think in the last part of last season they knew they had no chance to fight for the title and at the same time they didn't feel big pressure from the likes of Man Utd, Chelsea going ahead of them," he said.

"They had fourth position more or less under control and the Champions League became more of the dream, so that maybe took some of the focus [from the Premier League].

Also See:

Harry Kane
Image: Tottenham lost out in the Champions League final to Liverpool

"But maybe this season they are not having that chemistry. I don't know if I'm right or not but I always felt that while Spurs weren't buying a lot, they were doing something more important, which was to keep all the good players that they have.

"They persuaded the players to stay and stay happy - that was my feeling. They managed to give new contracts to Harry Kane and others and it looked like the players were happy to belong to that project, that club, that dream.

"Maybe now, the feeling that I have - what is happening with Christian Eriksen, Jan Vertonghen and what happened at the end of last season with Toby Alderweireld - maybe some of the boys are not so happy to stay.

"Their eyes might be on bigger pictures - look at Kyle Walker, winning trophies. Maybe at this moment the team is not that focused full of chemistry. It looks like the relationship with Mauricio Pochettino is happy; they have an amazing stadium, Champions League football again but maybe some of the boys want something different. Even at the perfect club, if one player isn't happy, it can make you lose focus."

Jose Mourinho the head coach / manager of Manchester United is all smiles as he speaks with Mauricio Pochettino manager / head coach of Tottenham Hotspur before the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on January 31, 2018 in London, England.
Image: Mourinho believes the relationship between Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino and his players remains a good one

Mourinho lifted the lid on his own derby experience, citing his time at Inter Milan and how he sought to get "under the skin of the fans".

"The preparation is the same, you do many normal things but inside of you, there's is something that takes you back to your basic love for football," he added.

"In a derby, there is something you cannot explain but only feel. It's special. You have to think about the fans of your team - who were born there and born with the rivalry. Milan-Inter - what that means to me; I'm not Italian, I never played for Inter, I never lived in Italy but I have to be under the skin of the fans at that club and that's what I tried to do."

Watch more games this season for less with our Total Football Offer. Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Premier League channels for just £18 extra a month!

Soccer Saturday Super 6 is Back
Soccer Saturday Super 6 is Back

FREE TO PLAY: £2m jackpot if 2m Players Enter

Around Sky