Japhet Tanganga shares what he thinks about Mourinho changing his position

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Tottenham Hotspur defender Japhet Tanganga has told Football.London that Jose Mourinho may have seen something he didn’t know he had.

Spurs take on Royal Antwerp in the Europa League this evening, and that means Mourinho may rotate his side.

With Joe Rodon ineligible, Tanganga could be in line for another start at centre back alongside Davinson Sanchez, as has been the case in the last couple of Europa League games.

Mourinho has made it clear that he actually thinks Tanganga is a full back rather than a centre back, but this is where he is getting his chance at the moment.

Mourinho has two right backs in Serge Aurier and Matt Doherty as well as Sergio Reguilon and Ben Davies at left back, meaning Tanganga is finding it tough to break in there.

With Rodon, Sanchez, Eric Dier and Toby Alderweireld in the centre back pecking order, Tanganga is also struggling to play there, meaning he needs to take his chance whenever it comes.

Tonight, Tanganga is more likely to play at centre back than in either full back position, but the defender has commented on Mourinho’s stance.

Tanganga has now suggested that Mourinho has seen something in him that he didn’t even know he had, as he has always been a centre back by trade – but is now looking to take his opportunity no matter what defensive role he plays.

“Obviously I know last season I played the majority of my games at full-back and it’s something that the manager saw in me that maybe I didn’t see myself, you know in growing up as a centre-half, coming through in the academy and learning my trade there,” said Tanganga.

“But coming into the first team, sometimes it’s just about taking the opportunity and taking what’s given to you. If the manager is saying that it’s something he sees in me and something I can work on and improve and give myself the best opportunity to play games and help the team to win. That’s just the way that I look at it. To take the opportunity that’s been given to me,” he added.