How José Mourinho could lure two mercurial icons to Tottenham

Tottenham are already noticing his impact…

José Mourinho has returned to manage a London team once again; North, not South London is his home upon this return however. While Mourinho served as Chelsea boss in both decades of the century so far, first reports are that he longs for players from those previous eras of football while at Tottenham; Zlatan Ibrahimović and Gareth Bale.

Reports that Zlatan Ibrahimović and Gareth Bale are both firmly on the Portuguese bosses radar should surprise no one. José Mourinho has always believed that winning immediately is the most pressing of matters; youth should grow in the shadows of experienced stalwarts.

Both players have been in decline in recent years, as age and circumstance have caught up to both. Should José Mourinho move to bring both mercurial icons up to North London, Tottenham would certainly have no shortage of scoring ability across a 90’ match.

Zlatan is… Zlatan

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The knee injury Zlatan Ibrahimović suffered at Manchester United when Mourinho was last in charge in the Premier League was devastating. The living legend had his time in England derailed through no fault of his own and for lack of playing time, fled to America.

Zlatan was nothing short of phenomenal for the LA Galaxy and gave America a taste of the truest firebrand football has across the globe. Having reasserted his abilities even at the advanced age of 38, Zlatan now can choose between an AC Milan return or a reunion with the “Special One”.

While neither Tottenham or AC Milan are particularly competitive so far this season, Spurs may hold key advantages. The allure of what Tottenham may be with José Mourinho, alongside the mass star power already in North London is likely more attractive than an Italian move.

Finally, the way Zlatan’s time in England ended is a major motivation for a player of Ibrahimovic’s legacy. Having won so much throughout his career, Zlatan much like José Mourinho believes it to be a simple expectation wherever he is that they win; nothing else is acceptable.

The talent at Tottenham is there, reorganization may be the key to advancing that talent as it has been over the last years with Mauricio Pochettino. Adding Zlatan to an already stacked front line may be one way to reset Spurs potential; some wing help may not be a bad idea either

Spurs favorite Son; Welsh Winger Gareth Bale to return?

Gareth Bale is indeed a winger, he is also a former Hotspur legend. Upon leaving North London for Spain in September of 2013, he had shown brilliantly for Tottenham for years. The left footed Welshmen became the most expensive player in international footballing history to that point.

His success in Madrid has been mercurial to put it lightly; for every legendary accomplishment and moment for Gareth Bale comes a head scratching circumstance or story that challenges the idea of Bale’s greatness.

The domestic and European championships won are stunning accomplishments; the disconnection Gareth Bale has willingly fomented around himself is equally stunning. From not learning Spanish very well, if at all, to constantly golfing in his off time the optics have always been curious; leaving matches that he isn’t involved in early doesn’t help this image either.

In short, Bale has never endeared himself to his teammates or the culture he has lived in, never mind the coach.

Zinedine Zidane has never liked Gareth Bale; think about that momentarily. One of the most legendary figures of recent football flat-out dislikes another more modern legend; that is not seen too often in sports. Bale’s attitude is likely the number one cause for someone who cared so much for football that he head butted someone in competition; passion matters to Zizou.

Could Gareth Bale use a return to Tottenham? Absolutely. Will he go? That is absolutely uncertain; reports suggest that he finds the idea comical in itself. It may be worth asking at this juncture of his career, if Gareth Bale still actually cares about Football in anything more than a passing care.

If Gareth does, moving back to Tottenham to play for José Mourinho is the far better fit than to move to China; is football only a money grab for Bale at the still relatively useful footballing age of 30? For reference, Robert Lewandowski is 31-years-old and still dominating in Germany, what would be said if he were to go to play in Korea next season? Bale must show his determination as well as his talent and skill; his time is not yet at an end on the major stage

The Special One, Zlatan and The Golfer

What would Zlatan Ibrahimović and Gareth Bale provide José Mourinho at Tottenham? Depth, experience, winning attitudes (at least from Zlatan), immense skill and creativity are among the qualities one should expect from both players. While neither can play as they once did for club or country, no one including Mourinho is asking for them to in any event.

Zlatan is one thing, as he is currently able to sign with whatever team he wishes; Bale may be trickier however. Real Madrid want to unload him desperately bad, bad enough that they’ll likely pay a percentage of his wages to dump him. They do however, value Christian Eriksen very much, and with no possibility to resign him apparent for Tottenham, he could be used as leverage to secure Gareth Bale.

How will José Mourinho use both Zlatan and Bale at Tottenham? The two players will be active participants and contributors alongside young stars names like Harry Kane, Deli Alli and Heung-min Son. Should Tottenham move for Adrien Rabiot still as well, all the better; Nemanja Matic could also be on the horizon knowing the Special One.

Marouane Fellaini jokes are sure to follow but in all seriousness, some aged veterans who believe and know Mourinho’s expectations would go a long way for Tottenham as well. While many believe the hiring of José Mourinho is reactionary and thoughtless, myself being one of them, I will never count him out of a circumstance; you don’t get a nickname like the Special One without being special, even if you yourself said it first. That in itself seems special, doesn’t it?