José Mourinho explains decision to bench Moussa Sissoko | OneFootball

José Mourinho chose not to start Moussa Sissoko at West Ham on Saturday because the midfielder didn’t fit the new Tottenham manager’s needs for the game.

Sissoko had started the all of the previous 12 Premier League games this season under Mauricio Pochettino.

However, the France international watched on from the bench for most of the game as Spurs secured a 3-2 victory.

With Dele Alli, Heung-min Son and Lucas Moura selected behind striker Harry Kane in a 4-2-3-1 formation, Mourinho opted for Eric Dier and Harry Winks to provide balance at the base of midfield.

“What made me [start Winks and Dier] was the positional play of the four attacking players,” Mourinho told BBC Sport.

“I needed one midfielder that was more positional and I needed one midfielder that was more a passer of the ball.

“Of course, when I see Moussa, he is a very good player but he is very different than my needs.

“I need that stability from Dier and I need the kid to move the ball faster, also positionally and also to find the attacking players in the positions we want them to find the ball.”

Sissoko did replace Lucas in the 82nd minute at the London Stadium.