‘World-class’ Dominic Solanke says manager Tottenham sacked was actually brilliant
Dominic Solanke may have only just made his big move to Tottenham, but he’s already played under some of the greatest managers in football. Indeed,...
Dominic Solanke may have only just made his big move to Tottenham, but he’s already played under some of the greatest managers in football.
Indeed, while Solanke’s journey from Bournemouth to Tottenham has defined his career in recent times, it’s easy to forget that the England international was on the books at Chelsea and Liverpool before his move to Bournemouth.
Solanke enjoyed his time at Liverpool. In fact, Solanke named Philippe Coutinho as one of his greatest teammates ever.
Solanke has worked under the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Antonio Conte during his time at Anfield and Stamford Bridge, but he made his professional debut under Jose Mourinho.
Speaking on The Big Interview, Dominic Solanke has been discussing his early career, and he’s reserved some special praise for Mourinho as a manager.
Of course, Solanke’s comments may not go down too well with Tottenham supporters as Mourinho wasn’t the most popular manager during his time at Spurs.
Dominic Solanke praises Jose Mourinho
Solanke spoke highly of Mourinho as a manager, labelling him as world-class.
Solanke also told a story that perfectly reflects the standards Mourinho always sets in training.
“Yeah the game after I managed to make my debut in the Champions League, which was probably better to be fair. Jose Mourinho was the manager at the time and he was obviously a world-class manager,” Solanke said.
“Yeah for sure. I have a funny story about one of my first sessions there. Zouma tackled me hard, and I did a flip and landed. Mourinho was there and he joked asking me if there was any problem and I dusted myself down and got training again. The standards he sets, he’s very determined and focused, he’s like that every day.”
What Jose Mourinho said about Dominic Solanke
Solanke was a big fan of Mourinho, and that feeling was reciprocated by the then-Chelsea manager.
Indeed, Mourinho spoke highly of Solanke during his time at Chelsea, via GiveMeSport.
“For sure, he’s going to play many Champions League matches, because he will be a good player,” Mourinho said.
“He played against Maribor. He was on the bench against Crystal Palace, on the bench against Man United and on probably he will be on the bench against Arsenal.”
“His experience this season has been magnificent.
“When there is a player like Solanke or Loftus-Cheek, this kind of player that we know for sure they have potential to play for Chelsea one day, I think when they are so young it is better for them to stay and develop at Chelsea.”
Of course, Solanke hasn’t quite been a Champions League regular since then as he’s not played in that competition since leaving Liverpool, although he was on the bench for the 2018 Champions League final.
Dominic Solanke Champions League stats Appearances 4 Goals 0 Assists 0
Solanke may not have played in the Champions League recently, but Solanke does want to win the Champions League with Spurs.
“Being at a club like Tottenham, that’s what we all want to be a part of. We’re in the Europa League, but the Champions League is where everyone wants to be,” Solanke said.
“Hopefully we can reach that next season, and even better to win that. I love the way we play. It’s one of the reasons I came here.”
Tottenham are in mid-table at the moment, so they’re a long way off being able to play in the Champions League, let alone win it, but if Solanke can find his best form, perhaps he could propel Spurs into that top four.
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