Martin Keown surprised by Spurs boss Jose Mourinho’s Steven Bergwijn comments

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Martin Keown has admitted to the Daily Mail that he was surprised to hear Jose Mourinho admit last month that Steven Bergwijn was not his first choice target in January, and suggested that the Tottenham Hotspur star may not have been best pleased with the comments.

There was plenty of anticipation heading into the January window. It was Mourinho’s first following his surprise appointment earlier in the campaign.

Spurs however, limited the business they did. Gedson Fernandes was brought in on a long-term loan, while Giovani Lo Celso’s deal was converted into a permanent move.

But with a couple of days left before the deadline, Bergwijn was signed from PSV Eindhoven. And the 22-year-old has shown glimpses of his potential during his first few months with the club.

The forward has scored three league goals, including the opener on his debut against Manchester City.

Nevertheless, Mourinho admitted last month that Bergwijn was not his first-choice target (via Goal). He did go on to praise the club for the move.

But Keown believes that it was a strange admission, and suggested that Bergwijn may not be too happy.

“I was surprised when Mourinho said last month that January signing Steven Bergwijn was ‘not my first option’ but he’s happy the club followed through with buying him,” he told the Daily Mail.

“I admire the honesty but I wouldn’t want to be hearing that if I was that player! It was Mourinho letting us all know these are not his recruits.”

TBR View: Mourinho’s honesty will come as little surprise to Spurs players

Mourinho is not the kind of manager to shy away from making sometimes-surprising admissions. So perhaps his comments on Bergwijn may have come as little surprise to the player or the rest of his squad.

His honesty can come across as controversial at times. But there will surely be a huge number of his players from down the years who have appreciated the way that Mourinho has not been afraid to make his feelings clear.

And it must be said that there will be no-one left happier than Mourinho if Bergwijn goes on to make him look slightly foolish in the coming years by proving to be an outstanding signing for Tottenham.