Jose Mourinho drops hint about Japhet Tanganga’s position at Tottenham – but there’s a problem

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Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho has told Football.London that he thinks Japhet Tanganga is now more of a full back than a centre back.

Spurs are back in action on Thursday night, as they host Ludogorets in their fourth Europa League group stage game.

Tottenham have six points from three games, bouncing back from defeat to Royal Antwerp by beating Ludogorets 3-1 away from home.

The Bulgarian side now head to North London to take on Spurs, and they arrive with Tottenham facing a defensive quandary.

Toby Alderweireld misses the game through injury, whilst Joe Rodon is ineligible for European action, meaning Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez are the only two recognised centre backs at Mourinho’s disposal.

What about Japhet Tanganga? He began as a centre back, but played more as a left back or right back under Mourinho last season.

The 21-year-old has played just once this season due to injuries, with his only appearance coming almost two months ago.

Mourinho has now suggested that he thinks Tanganga is actually a full back rather than a centre back, and whilst he could fill in there due to his versatility.

“For me he’s a full-back. Can he play centre-back? Yes he can, of course he can, and he will if we need and we will need,” said Mourinho. “He can play centre-back, but for me in the context of what high level football is and especially Premier League is, I see him more as a multi-functional defensive player but I see him more as a full-back,” he added.

That may be a problem for Tanganga though. Spurs have two right backs in Serge Aurier and Matt Doherty, as well as two left backs in Ben Davies and Sergio Reguilon.

Tanganga basically seems like third-choice in both full back areas and fifth-choice at centre back right now – which may be frustrating for such a talented young player.