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Cape Town - Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho insists Christian Eriksen, Jan Vertonghen, and Toby Alderweireld will not let their contract situations impact their performances.
All three are free to leave the club in the summer and do not look like putting pen to paper on new deals any time soon, with Eriksen reported as telling Spurs he definitely will not be signing.
Mourinho had previously said that whether the Dane plays will be determined by his long-term future, and the fact he was an unused substitute in Saturday's 3-2 win over Bournemouth seems significant.
The Portuguese has now closed ranks, though, saying only that he is discussing the situation with chairman Daniel Levy but still believes he can count on the trio.
"I'm not going to discuss these individual things," he said. "If I tell you that I didn't speak with Mr Levy about Eriksen, Alderweireld and Vertonghen, I would be lying.
"So, yes I'm speaking with Mr Levy about it.
"At the same time, I speak also with the players, with all of them. We speak and try to understand every detail but it's not something I'm going to discuss.
"Important thing, really, is [they are] great professionals, big relationship with Tottenham, amazing understanding of what the club is and what we need from them.
"So, all three (are) ready to play, all three (are) ready to forget the contractual situation.
"And that's the most important thing now because we're in three competitions. And these boys are great players and Tottenham people. I trust them."
Alderweireld and Vertongen are likely to be in Mourinho's side as he returns to Manchester United for the first time since his sacking almost a year ago.
- TeamTalk Media
