Jose Mourinho sends fresh Harry Kane warning to England boss Gareth Southgate.
Jose Mourinho insisted he could not afford to rest Harry Kane – but sent another warning to Gareth Southgate.
Kane scored a hat trick as Tottenham cruised into the Europa League Group stages.
But the England captain played 75 minutes before being taken off even though both Mourinho and Southgate admit he needs a break.
Mourinho said: “This match was a fundamental match for is.
“A match that means a few million pounds and means we are in a group stage of a competition where we have ambitions.
“Job done. Group phase. Almost at the end of an incredible period.
“Good for the team good for the boys. The hat-trick is always nice.
“He has already got a lot of match balls at home.”
Tottenham boss Mourinho could not then resist a little dig as he insisted he would never play Kane in a friendly – with England due to play Wales at Wembley next week, before two Nations League games with Denmark and Belgium.
“What I can promise to my friend Steve Holland and Gary not to be jealous – I promise that I will not play one minute of Harry Kane in a friendly,” said Mourinho, who clearly thinks Gary is a shorter version of Gareth.
Tottenham are close to a season-long loan deal for Benfica’s Brazilian striker Carlos Vinicius with a view to a permanent £35m deal.
But Mourinho refused to talk about the deal until it is done. “I want you to ask me that question when it is confirmed.
“Nobody told me it is done so I am going to respect the situation, respect the player and wait.”