José Mourinho vows not to play Tottenham’s Harry Kane in ‘no friendly’ as Southgate trade continues

José Mourinho continued his public rebuttal with Gareth Southgate about Harry Kane’s playing time by promising not to play the Tottenham forward in a “friendly match” this season following his hat-trick in a 7-2 win over Maccabi Haifa.

Ahead of Thursday’s Europa League play-off tie, Mourinho urged the England manager not to beat Kane in the triple game against Wales, Belgium and Denmark this month.

In response, Southgate reminded the Spurs coach that the nation was counting on him to keep Kane cool in April and May before next summer’s Euro Cup, saying, “It works both ways.”

He also joked that Mourinho had not called him a “friend”, as his England assistant Steve Holland had.

Speaking after Kane inspired Spurs to a resounding victory over Maccabi, who booked their place in the Europa League group stage, Mourinho said of Kane: “His match was fundamental for us.

“A match that means a few million pounds and means that we are in a group stage of a competition that we have ambitions [to win].

“What I can promise my friend Steve Holland since Gareth is not jealous, for my friend Gareth, I can promise that until the end of the season I will not play against Harry Kane one minute of any friendly match.”

Mourinho’s chances of limiting Kane’s minutes will be reinforced by the arrival of a new center forward, Carlos Vinicius of Benfica, who will join a one-season loan deal this weekend.

Asked by the Brazilian, Mourinho said: “I want you to ask me that question when it is confirmed.

“Nobody told me it’s done, so I’m going to respect the situation, respect the player, respect Benfica and wait a little longer. The next time we see each other, I may be in a position to respond.”

Kane’s early goal, a Lucas Moura header and a Giovani Lo Celso double gave Spurs a 4-1 lead over Israel’s Maccabi at half-time, with the England captain adding two more after the break. before substitute Dele Alli won and scored a goal. discount time penalty.

Both teams received controversial penalties in the second half within four minutes for handball infractions.

“Work done, group stage, almost at the end of an incredible period,” added Mourinho after Spurs’ third game in five days after Sunday’s draw with Newcastle and victory over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.

“Good for the team, good for the boys. The hat-trick, he has scored so many and has so many balls at home, that’s always good. And good for Dele to come in, to create a proper penalty and to score.”

He said of the players who started twice in 48 hours: “What Eric Dier, Steven Bergwijn and Toby Alderweireld did is not human.

“It’s proven, scientifically proven, every sports scientist knows that what he did shouldn’t be done. He shouldn’t allow himself to play 180 minutes in three days.

“These three guys did it, I know some others played to the limit too, but we managed because we have a good squad and we have a squad with different options.

“We managed to share players in these games and we managed to go through two qualifiers in the Carabao and the Europa League, but we could have gone out. Work done. I’m very happy for the work done.”