Former Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood believes Jose Mourinho has ‘brainwashed’ the Spurs players into becoming serial winners like him.
Mourinho produced a tactical masterclass on Sunday as the Lilywhites beat arch rivals Arsenal 2-0 despite having just 30 per cent of the ball.
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Two outstanding, counter-attacking goals from Heung-min Son and Harry Kane gave Tottenham something to defend – and that they did through superb discipline and organisation.
It wasn’t pretty, and Mourinho’s methods have often left fans and players alike frustrated in the past.
But Sherwood insists the likes of Kane and Son, as well as the Tottenham faithful, have fully bought into their manager’s ways – because it can bring them trophies.
“You only care about 30 per cent possession if you end the season without silverware,” Sherwood told Monday’s talkSPORT Breakfast.
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“They played on the front foot for five years and what did they get for it? A pat on the back.
“When they look at their trophy cabinet, there’s nothing in there since 2008. They need to start winning trophies and Jose has won 20 major trophies.
“He has a clear identity of how they want him to play.
“I would say to Jose, ‘Just be yourself – you’re a winner and you’ve been brought in there to win, so why would you change?’
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“The players are brainwashed, they’re enjoying it now. Harry Kane had one shot at goal. You would think he would want to get the ball and have more touches in the opposition box, but he’s not like that after the game.
“He realised he’s come to the stage of his career where he needs to start winning. If they win something, the fans won’t care and neither will the players.
“Jose has got them believing – and why wouldn’t you believe a serial winner? If he told them to go and stand on their head for five minutes, they would do it.”
Mourinho’s team selection has been questioned during his time at Spurs, but along with the club’s summer transfer business, it’s very clear what the Tottenham boss is building.
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Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg suddenly looks like the signing of the summer at £15m, while Steven Bergwijn starting over the likes of Dele Alli and Gareth Bale gives Spurs more defensive stability.
And Sherwood suggests Mourinho is creating a ‘cartel’ of strong-minded players who will do anything for him.
He added: “Jose picks the best team, he doesn’t pick the best players… and at the moment he has found his best team. He’s got a cartel there.
“They’re buying into him and the message is clear in the dressing room.”
One of those men is Eric Dier, who was the second-best player on the pitch yesterday, just behind Hojbjerg.
Mourinho has revitalised the Englishman’s career by giving him a regular run of games at centre-back, rather than midfield.
“I think he’s versatile,” Sherwood continued. “He’s a very good Premier League player, but he likes to defend the box.
“Eric has told the manager he wanted to play centre-back. He told Pochettino he wanted to play there and he didn’t listen.
“Jose has put him in his correct position and he really likes him. He wanted to buy him for £50m at Man United.”
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