Jose Mourinho reveals Erik Lamela will not return to Tottenham squad against Brentford
By Tom Gott
Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho has revealed that midfielder Erik Lamela is not in contention to face Brentford on Tuesday after being found to have breached COVID-19 regulations over Christmas.
Lamela joined West Ham United's Manuel Lanzini and Spurs teammates Giovani Lo Celso and Sergio Reguilon to celebrate Christmas Day, despite government rules stating that households in London could not mix in an attempt to combat the spread of the virus.
I want to apologise for a decision I made over Christmas which I deeply regret. On reflection I understand the seriousness of my actions and the impact it has on others.
— Erik Manuel Lamela (@ErikLamela) January 2, 2021
I am truly thankful to everyone working hard to keep us safe and I feel ashamed knowing I’ve let people down.
The news broke shortly before Spurs' 3-0 win over Leeds United on Saturday, for which Lamela did not even make the matchday squad, and Mourinho confessed after the game that the Argentine won't be coming back just yet.
"Not available," Mourinho bluntly replied (via the Daily Mail) when asked whether Lamela would be playing or isolating for the Brentford clash.
The boss was pressed for a reason but simply responded: "It’s not for me to tell you. I just tell you that against Brentford he cannot play."
It's a peculiar one as Mourinho was still happy to name Reguilon on the bench for the Leeds game, yet could not find a place for Lamela, despite both being at the same forbidden party. Lo Celso missed out through injury.
Mourinho also revealed he bought Reguilon a special Christmas present to help him cope with being alone on the day, only to see that good deed thrown back in his face.
"An amazing gift. A Portuguese piglet, which is amazing for Portuguese and Spanish [people]," he revealed. "So I gave him this because I was told he was going to spend Christmas on his own.
Imagine trying to explain this one to José Mourinho... ? pic.twitter.com/mEzcnEY8F5
— 90min (@90min_Football) January 2, 2021
"He was not alone as you could see and we, as a club, feel disappointed because we give the players all the education, all the conditions. We are not happy, it was a negative surprise for us."
Mourinho will likely look to rotate his side somewhat for Tuesday's Carabao Cup semi-final, although the boss has always taken the competition very seriously and will have hoped to have had as many first-team players available as possible.