Under José Mourinho, Japhet Tanganga arrived onto the scene as a promising young defender.
His star never really managed to take off during his time in North London, however, with injuries significantly hindering his development.
Now that he has started anew in a new environment, Tanganga thinks of his boyhood club with fondness.
Tottenham departure was “difficult”, admits Japhet Tanganga
In a recent interview with Italian sports journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, forerm Tottenham defender Japhet Tanganga opened up about his exit from the North London club earlier in the summer.
“Tottenham will forever remain my first home and have a special place in my heart. I had already accepted the decision to leave and look for continuity, but the day of the farewell was still difficult.
“You don’t easily part from a love like that. And in fact, now I continue to follow them, I cheer for my former teammates, and I know that sooner or later they will return to a final and win it, they deserve it.”
Tanganga on his Spurs exit, as quoted by Sport Witness.
The English centre-back spent a decade in the Lilywhites’ academy before making his senior debut for them in 2019. He went on to make 50 appearances for them across all competitions.
The 25-year-old has been struggling constantly with injuries in the last five years. Having joined Augsburg on loan at the start of last season, he returned to Spurs halfway through having made not a single appearance for the German Bundesliga side. He then joined Championship side Millwall on loan for the second half of last season before signing for them permanently in the summer after his contract with Tottenham expired.
Now with a £35k-per-week contract in place with the Lions, Tanganga has started this season with consistent availability, having already made seven appearances in the English second tier.
It’s always difficult
It is always sad when a player’s career is stopped in its tracks due to injuries. Tanganga at one point was Spurs’ most promising asset, but it is important for him now to look forward more often than backward.
If the early-season signs are anything to go by, Tanganga may very well be on his way back to the top.
We have recently seen the likes of Dominic Solanke returning to the top of English football after taking a step down for a few years. In a not-too-dissimilar vein, it wouldn’t be surprising if, barring any more injury scares, Tanganga is picked up by a top Premier League side in a year or two.
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