Roy Keane claimed Tottenham “have been soft for the last 40 years” as the former Manchester United captain had another lively exchange with former Spurs midfielder Jamie Redknapp on Sunday.
Keane repeatedly said there was a “softness” to Spurs during the debate about the club with Redknapp on Sky Sports ahead of them hosting United in an important clash for Champions League spots on Sunday.
Having sarcastically stated that “it’s always great to be top of the league in November, vital time of the season that”, Keane said: “We all know, and we keep repeating, there is a softness in this Spurs team.”
Redknapp reacted by pointing out that Tottenham had reached the Champions League final in 2018-19.
And Keane replied: “They were lucky to get to that final. Get to the final – again, it’s like being top of the league in November. They got to the final, but they got beaten in the final.
“If you’re going to get to a final, the whole point of getting to a final is trying to win the bloody thing.
“Spurs before (boss Jose) Mourinho, and when Mourinho leaves, there will still be a softness to this Spurs team. That’s down to the players.”
Redknapp responded by asking: “So they’ve been soft for the last, what, however many years?”
To which Keane replied: “Spurs have been soft for the last 40 years.”
As he voiced his disagreement, Redknapp mentioned the Tottenham side, managed by his father Harry, who reached the Champions League quarter-finals in 2010-11, saying: “That was a good team. You can’t say they are always soft Roy.”
Keane hit back with: “If quarter-final is success, then you can have your success.”
The duo also had a heated argument over Tottenham back in February. That one was sparked by Keane saying that the top sides “wouldn’t touch” any Spurs player beyond Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.
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Surprise name linked with Tottenham switch
Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho will reportedly try to bring former Manchester United star Marouane Fellaini to Tottenham when the midfielder’s contract expires in China.
Fellaini played under the Portuguese tactician while at Old Trafford. The 33-year-old was often used as an impact player, brought on to be used as a target man later in games. Mourinho’s exit from the Theatre of Dreams saw his game time diminish and he left in January 2019 to join Shandong Taishan. The former Belgium international has seen plenty of action in the Far East.
He made 22 Chinese Super League starts in 2019 and 15 last year. But, with his deal set to run out this summer, he may be looking for a route back to Europe.
It is thought that there will be an overhaul of the Spurs squad this summer after an indifferent campaign. It has been a stuttering season which may end without qualifying for Champions League football.
That would have been the aim and doubts have been raised as to Mourinho’s future. Further questions will be asked if he does decide to reunite with Fellaini, especially with Dele Alli’s future in doubt.
Not one for Spurs fans
Seeing the England man leave and the Belgian arrive would not exactly inspire the fans. But, according to by Voetbal 24 (via Caughtoffside) that is a scenario that may well happen.
Fellaini is vastly experienced at the top level, having made 177 appearances for Everton. However, he has always been a player who polarises opinion.
The rangy schemer can impact games with his aerial quality. But he has limited ability in other areas and would be a controversial signing at his age.
While Fellaini is a player who can ‘do a job’ for Spurs, he would not be a long-term solution. A better option could be RB Leipzig midfielder Marcel Sabitzer, who was linked with the club earlier this week.
READ MORE: Villa, Everton tipped to make shock Tottenham raid for Mourinho misfit
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Robert McCarthy
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