RIVERS OF TRANSFER MONEY WILL DRY UP

JOSE MOURINHO predicts coronavirus will put an end to the “rivers of money” that have flowed in the transfer market in recent years. And he expects clubs will have to wait until at least September before taking on new men for next season. The Tottenham manager has urged clubs to recognise the economic situation of the world as well as the financial crisis hitting many teams by not splashing the cash when the window next opens.

“The first question will be, when will the transfer window be? I don’t think July and August, it will go further than that,” said Mourinho.

“It is normal that we will have a different market. I don’t see the world – and especially the football world – being ready for some of the crazy numbers we used to have. There’ve been some crazy investments at times. Some clubs and some leagues like ours, what they used to do.

“What I would like in my club is what I know it will be. I would like it to be sensible, balanced and not spend rivers of money. We are trying to respect the situation not just of football but of the world and society overall.”

For now, Mourinho is just delighted to have his current players fit again. He said: “It is a great feeling, because we finished the period with that defeat at Leipzig, where we were really in trouble just to have 11 players, especially attacking players.

“Although I cannot say they are ready to play because it is one thing to recover from an injury and another to be ready to play football.

“In Harry Kane’s case, I think for about five months he hasn’t played a match. But when the authorities tell us we can train normally, in a couple of weeks, the boys will be ready to play.”