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Tottenham’s season has been a wild ride until now. Results weren’t appearing, the football displayed on the pitch wasn’t good, and they even had to dismiss the coach who took them to a Champions League final. Mauricio Pochettino exited the club to make way for one of the greatest managers of all time, José Mourinho. Although everyone can see a different aura surrounding the club, the improvement has not been as quick as expected, much due to the injury plague the Spurs have been going through. Moussa Sissoko had knee surgery and his return is unknown, Ben Davies has been away since November with an ankle injury, while Harry Kane, probably their most important player, ruptured his thigh muscle and is still recovering, with no timetable known. In the midst of all of this, there’s been one player who has been making his way up in Tottenham’s hierarchy. He goes by the name of Japhet Tanganga, and he’s someone who’s already earned José Mourinho’s trust.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Japhet Tanganga said he was moved to tears when Jose Mourinho told him he would be making his first Premier League appearance. #THFC pic.twitter.com/HuGuQdHVGm — Talking THFC (@TalkingTHFC) February 7, 2020

The 20-year-old is a product of Tottenham’s youth system, a club that’s known for promoting his youngsters to their main squad and giving them chances to shine in the biggest stages. Harry Kane, Harry Winks and Andros Townsend are a few that come to mind. While some of these players took some time to integrate and show their true value, Tanganga is not suffering from the same syndrome, as the youngster shows a poise that is uncharacteristically for his age. The level of maturity displayed in his most recent matches against Manchester City or Liverpool leads us to believe that Japhet has what it takes to immediately establish himself as a cornerstone for José Mourinho and Tottenham in years to come. Their defence has been their Achilles tendon in these last few months, and possible incomings are already being talked for the summer transfer window. However, with Tanganga’s rise, how much tweaking does their defensive sector needs? He’s being used as a left-back, right-back or centre-back if needed, covering for all the absences Mourinho’s been dealing with lately, doing it in spectacular fashion. Tottenham fans, aligned with football fans in general, shouldn’t put so much pressure in the player to deliver, but it’s hard not to be excited with such an incredible prospect. With José at the helm, who happens to be a defensive specialist, the sky's the limit for Japhet Tanganga.