Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho came close to tying up a deal which could have transformed his side’s season, with Antonio Rudiger revealing that contact was made by the Portuguese boss over the summer yesterday.
Rudiger told The Sun that Tottenham had tried to do a deal with Chelsea in the previous transfer window and Mourinho had rang him, but no deal was ever agreed.
Mourinho must now look back with major regret, given how the season has transpired.
On the face of it Tottenham’s defensive stats don’t look particularly poor – they have only conceded 30 goals in 28 Premier League games.
However, anyone who has watched Spurs can clearly see that they have issues at the back.
Mourinho has failed to find a reliable pairing, with Davinson Sanchez and Toby Alderweireld the latest to be tried as a duo in Spurs’s defence.
At different stages Joe Rodon and Eric Dier have also been handed opportunities, but Tottenham have never looked entirely comfortable when put on the back foot.
Rudiger, meanwhile, has gone on to show his class at Chelsea since Thomas Tuchel’s arrival.
Chelsea have conceded just twice in all competitions since Tuchel took over, with Rudiger playing a key role.
The German has looked rock solid, with his experience proving crucial to Chelsea’s up-turn in form.
Given Tottenham’s attacking strength, it is easy to question just how well this season might have gone for them if they had a solid foundation to build upon.
And Mourinho must be devastated that he came so close to bringing Rudiger in, only to fail, given his recent form in a Chelsea shirt.
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