Spurs defender Tanganga: Jose Mourinho is willing to give youth a chance.

Spurs defender Japhet Tanganga was given his professional debut by ex-Chelsea and Man Utd manager Mourinho.

Tanganga was given his Premier League debut by Mourinho in January. [Getty]

Spurs defender Japhet Tanganga has heaped praise on Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho, and also responded to those suggesting the Portuguese does not give young players a chance. Mourinho handed Tanganga his debut in Spurs' Premier League clash against Liverpool in January and the 21-year-old now has 11 first-team appearances to his name. Tanganga, however, believes the ex-Real Madrid and Manchester United manager is improving his all-round game and also said there have been records of Mourinho giving youth players the opportunity to break into senior teams in the past. "Even before, I'm pretty sure that when he was at Real Madrid, Raphael Varane was very young and in the team," Tanganga told reporters. "The same at United, Scott McTominay came through there.

More: Marcelo isn't looking to leave Real Madrid amid reported interest from Juve. "He's the same as every manager – they want to give young players a chance but it's up to the young player to show them they're capable of coping in whatever league they're in, Premier League or LaLiga. "It's not just down to the manager wanting to play you, it's down to the young player showing the determination to the manager that they want to play as well. "He has taught me a lot. In training he's given me a lot of information, a lot of details, ways to improve. How to defend one v one, how to defend set-pieces or work in wide areas and at corners. "He's given me a lot of information and I feel playing right-back and left-back has added to my game and allowed me to be adaptable and defend in all areas of the pitch, not just at centre-half. "He has really been very helpful."

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