Glenn Hoddle column: Mourinho, Son and Kane’s Tottenham futures; Champions League predictions

From his latest views on Jose Mourinho to the futures of Harry Kane and Heung-min Son at Tottenham and who he fancies to win the Champions League, here Standard Sport’s columnist Glenn Hoddle answers your questions and picks out the player he will be watching closing this week.

Michael asks…

What are your views on Jose Mourinho now? Do you still think he still deserves time? Can he turn things around or are we getting to the point of no return?

In the modern-day game you do not normally get that sort of time but you should. Look at Jurgen Klopp, there was a spell a good few years ago when Liverpool were conceding loads of goals and they could easily have got rid of him them. And look what they would have missed out on. That example is there for every football club, and Tottenham are no different.

I think it is more than just the manager, I think it goes deeper at Tottenham. Even when they went top of the table, I could not say it at the time but I always felt it was a bit of a false dawn. And it is turning out that way.

When Mauricio Pochettino had that team four years ago, you had Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, Danny Rose, Kyle Walker all in their peak. Eric Dier who was playing excellently for England. Hugo Lloris was at his peak. That is not the same team at the moment defensively, and that is just defensively.

The midfield is not anywhere near like it was with Christian Eriksen playing well, Dele Alli scoring important goals. That team all produced at similar times and the balance was right. And that, unfortunately, has been dismantled and it is a rebuild.

It depends what the club wants to do. They have a wonderful stadium, a wonderful training ground. Have they got the best squad? No and that has got to be looked at. Some of Jose’s buys have not worked out at the moment. But, Eriksen, Heung-min Son were not instant successes, Spurs fans have got to remember that. They took some time. Timo Werner and Kai Havertz have taken time at Chelsea, both good players.

I think Spurs are coming to that crossroads to see where the next team is going to be built. If Jose is part of that, then let him do what he wants to do. That is where Spurs are at the moment.

Jamie asks…

After Peter Crouch’s comments in the week, do you fear Harry Kane and Heung-min Son could look to leave Spurs?

Of course they could. Whether they will or not is up to Tottenham. I do not know what their contract situation is and it all depends on that really, that is the thing that holds the key.

I have heard some people say, ‘If Tottenham were to beat Manchester City and win the League Cup, is that enough?’. In a way, this trophy is a crossroads for those to players, who are world-class players. Win and Spurs can persuade them and say, ‘Look, this is where it starts, we are over the line, we have won a trophy’.

I know when we won the FA Cup in 1981, the confidence you get, you just feel you have broken through a barrier and you are going to win another one. And that is what we did the following year, we were in contention for four. That is such a big hurdle to overcome for Tottenham.

Sophie asks…

Who do you fancy for the Champions League?

I just really hope Chelsea and Liverpool get through to meet each other in the semi-final which mean we get an English team in the final. That would be fantastic.

Obviously, I have my allegiance to Chelsea and I think they are playing some wonderful football. But if Liverpool get there and it is not Chelsea, that would still be great just to have an English team there. But look what Porto did to Juventus. Defensively they were so organised and that is not going to be a walk in the park for Chelsea to get through.

On the other side of the draw, if Manchester City and Bayern Munich get through that is going to be a titanic game that would have made a fabulous final. I think City have more chance of being Bayern over two legs then they would in a one-off final.

I am jumping ahead, because I do believe City will be Dortmund if they keep Erling Haaland quiet. In John Stones, Aymeric Laporte and Ruben Dias, they have the defence to deal with that. Chelsea vs Liverpool and City vs Bayern in the semis would be so exciting.

Katie asks…

Jude Bellingham. Discuss!

I have seen him for England Under-21s and he looks a mature player for his age.

I went abroad later on in my career and for any youngster to go abroad is a big step. We should be proud that we are producing players like Mason Mount, James Maddison, Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho went across, we are producing good players at a young age that foreign clubs want. That never used to happen.

My player to watch this week is..

John Stones. I am really interested to see him stepping back into the England squad. He has been playing brilliantly at Manchester City.