Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho was speaking with David Beckham in a video to promote health and well being in a special series of adverts and talked about the mental side of the game and how he judges whether young players who are coming through the academy are ready for the rigours of professional football or not.
Jose Mourinho said “I try to know, I think sometimes you have to delay a little bit but when they go, they go absolutely ready. I think it’s more difficult to cope with the social pressure than the football pressure. That’s the toughest part. If you feel pressure to be here (on the pitch), you don’t belong here. If you feel pressure because you want to be a normal kid when you are 20-25 years old and the world doesn’t let you that is a different thing. In academies I think they focus on this part and help them to cope with what is waiting for them outside.”
The Portuguese manager’s treatment of Japhet Tanganga has been praised as the young academy graduate has played 10 games since Mourinho came in. But on the other hand, his handling of young Troy Parrot and Ryan Sessegnon has not impressed many fans and pundits.
