Darren Bent makes claim about Spurs forward Lucas Moura

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Darren Bent has told The Debate on Sky Sports (broadcast on 26/11; 22:20) that it looks as though Jose Mourinho believes in Lucas Moura, and suggested that former Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino was wrong not to use the forward more.

The 27-year-old has started both games since Mourinho’s appointment. And he has vindicated the Portuguese’s faith, scoring against West Ham on Saturday and contributing an assist in the Champions League win over Olympiakos.

He had only made seven starts for Spurs this season before Pochettino’s departure. And of course, last season ended in disappointment for the Brazilian as he missed out on a start in the Champions League final after bagging a hat-trick in the semi-final.

But Bent suggested that the early signs suggest that Mourinho is ready to put a lot more faith in Moura than his predecessor.

“It looks like Mourinho believes in him and I think that’s the key,” he told The Debate. “You look at what he did last season, especially at the end of last season. How can you score a hat-trick in the semi-final of the Champions League and not play in the final?

“We’ve seen it happen before, we’ve seen him score against Manchester City, wasn’t playing the next game. I think Mourinho’s probably one of those managers who said, ‘listen, I believe in you’. And I think they’re better when they’re balanced when he’s on the right, Son’s on the left and Kane down the middle.”

Ready to prove point?

Moura has shown that he can be a game-changer when he is at his best. And it appears that Mourinho may be ready to get the best out of him on a regular basis.

And having missed out on a place in the team at some crucial times last season, Mourinho may be boosted by the fact that Moura may now feel that he has a point to prove.