• Home
  • /
  • Premier League
  • /
  • Graeme Souness On Why He Thinks Mourinho Won't Curb Matt Doherty's Brilliant Attacking Flair

Graeme Souness On Why He Thinks Mourinho Won't Curb Matt Doherty's Brilliant Attacking Flair

Graeme Souness On Why He Thinks Mourinho Won't Curb Matt Doherty's Brilliant Attacking Flair
Paul Moore
By Paul Moore
Share this article

After being selected in the right-back position for Ireland ahead of Seamus Coleman in their opening Nations League matches against Bulgaria and Finland, Matt Doherty's starting place in the Irish team is now his to lose.

Having spent the best part of a decade at Wolves, the former Bohemians man has established himself as one of the best right wing-backs and players in the Premier League.

In fact, with 15 goals and 15 assists in the past two seasons at Wolves, Doherty is second only to Trent Alexander-Arnold as the Premier League’s most productive right-back/right wing-back.

After Jose Mourinho opted to pay Wolves €15m for the Irish defender, the news was celebrated by his former club Bohemians because they're cashing in on a 10%  sell-on clause that has also trickled down to his former schoolboy clubs too, Belvedere and Home Farm.

However, while Doherty thrived under the coaching of Nuno Espirito Santo at Wolves, his move to Spurs wasn't celebrated by all Irish supporters who think that Doherty's attacking instincts might be negated by his new coach.

Recommended

Despite Mourinho's remarkable CV, it's fair to say that he's more of a pragmatist and as viewers of All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur can attest to, the Portuguese coach has been looking for a new right-back for quite some time now - Serge Aurier is definitely not a Mourinho favourite.

Ahead of the launch of the new Premier League season, Balls had the chance to chat with Graeme Souness and the Sky Sports pundit doesn't think that Mourinho will curb Doherty's attacking instincts.

Advertisement

In fact, he thinks that Doherty will continue to be used as a box-to-box wing-back/full back at his new club.

"Having worked with Jose, it's very simplistic to point the finger and say that he's a negative coach. He isn't. I think in the bigger games, he'll have a more pragmatic approach but I think he goes for it. He tries to get on the front foot and go for it. I think Doherty will enjoy playing for him. I mean, Doherty's a workaholic and he'll enjoy playing for Jose - and I like Doherty very much.

'The other one they signed, Hojberg, I think he'll make them much better in midfield next season. I wouldn't worry if I was Doherty, I think he can play the same game. He's bought him because he likes him, he's bought him because he sees him going box-to-box. He gets there, delivers good balls, and chips in with a goal. There's lots to like about Doherty in that system within the modern game."

As for Doherty, he's expected to make his Premier League debut for Spurs when they play Everton on Sunday.

Sky Sports is the home of the Premier League with more live matches than any other broadcaster. Watch all the action on Sky Sports and NOW TV.

Main image via Tottenham Hotspur

Advertisement

SEE ALSO: Giles Sees Doherty/Coleman Mistake In Kenny's First Two Games

Join The Monday Club Have a tip or something brilliant you wanted to share on? We're looking for loyal Balls readers free-to-join members club where top tipsters can win prizes and Balls merchandise

Processing your request...

You are now subscribed!

Share this article

Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. Developed by Square1 and powered by PublisherPlus.com

Advertisement