Tom Huddlestone identifies what Jose Mourinho will be praying for, as Tottenham lose

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Tom Huddlestone has claimed on BBC Radio 5 Live that Jose Mourinho will be praying Manchester City’s two-year European ban is confirmed and that fifth place becomes a Champions League qualification slot – after Tottenham lost to Leipzig.

Spurs lost 4-0 on aggregate to RB Leipzig, despite reaching the final of the competition under Mauricio Pochettino less than 12 months ago. A Marcel Sabitzer brace and a late Emil Forsberg effort saw Spurs lose 3-0 on the night.

Mourinho has had to tend with a very long list of injuries. Steven Bergwijn and Ben Davies joined Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Juan Foyth and Moussa Sissoko on the sidelines – but Spurs are still struggling more than they should be.

Former Tottenham midfielder Huddlestone was covering the game on 5 Live, and he believes Mourinho will be desperate for UEFA to uphold their two-year European ban on City – and for that fifth place to become a Champions League slot.

“Mourinho was probably licking his lips at the thought of Norwich at home in the FA Cup, going into a potential quarter-final against Man Utd but it wasn’t to be,” Huddlestone said.

“He’ll be praying that Man City do get a ban so that fifth place is up for grabs which is more realistic, especially with Harry Kane back on the training ground.”

TBR’s view – What can we expect from Tottenham this summer?

Qualification for the Champions League is all well and good, but Spurs need a mass summre influx of top, top talent if they are to remain competitive in the competition. This season, they qualified in second from a very easy group.

Their first big test came in the form of Leipzig, and they buckled. Spurs need much more talent on board, if they are to qualify for the Champions League. The Europa League will only send Spurs backwards in terms of finances and progression.