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Victor Wanyama has shared insights on Tottenham's struggles, rivalries and modern football's challenges in an thought-provoking interview.
When former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama left Tottenham Hotspur, he took with him not just memories of his remarkable Premier League career but a deep understanding of the club’s ethos.
Now based in Montreal after a recent parting with CF Montreal, Wanyama remains a passionate observer of the club he represented with pride for four years.
Speaking ahead of Tottenham's highly anticipated clash against Chelsea, Wanyama reflected on his four-year tenure at the North London club, where he played a pivotal role in their midfield, finishing second in the league twice and being instrumental in their successes.
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Addressing Spurs' current struggles, he pointed out an important psychological adjustment the team must make to overcome inconsistency.
“It’s been a tough season so far, and I think it’s clear to see they’ve been inconsistent,” he said in an interview with Telecomasia.
“But it’s strange because they perform very well against teams that are up there, like Manchester City, but then they struggle against lower teams. Normally, if you’re in a situation like this, you have to see every game as a big game so you can approach every match with the same energy and focus.”
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The Tottenham-Chelsea rivalry, one of the most fiercely contested in English football, also featured prominently in Wanyama’s reflections.
As a player who experienced the emotions tied to the fixture, he highlighted the extra intensity and determination it brings, fueled by the animosity between the two clubs’ fanbases.
“It’s clear the two clubs don’t like each other, and the fans don’t hide that,” Wanyama remarked.
“As players, I remember we used to say, ‘This is the only game we cannot afford to lose,’ because it’s not just about three points—it’s the fight for who owns London. To be at Tottenham and to play in these games is a privilege, and one of those games where, when you leave, you take the memories with you.”
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Tottenham’s current struggles, including their recent 3-2 loss to Bournemouth, have left fans divided.
Meanwhile, Chelsea enters the weekend buoyed by a dominant 5-1 victory over Southampton. However, Wanyama emphasized that form counts for little in rivalry matches.
Drawing from his own experiences, he shared how the team’s leaders would hold each other accountable during difficult periods, urging the current squad to do the same.
“When things were tough, we reminded each other that the next game was now or never,” he explained.
“There were home truths spoken, and we would go back to the basics. I don’t want to say this was a long time ago, because the basics are still the same. Form doesn’t mean much here. Think about it: last year when they beat us, we went into the game unbeaten and were huge favorites, but they ended up winning, so that won’t count for much.”
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Wanyama also shared a personal connection with several current players, including captain Son Heung-min and goalkeeper Fraser Forster, whom he knows from their time together at Southampton.
He expressed optimism about the group’s ability to recover and fight for better results.
“Tottenham is my club, and I still stay in touch with a lot of the guys, especially the ones I played with, like Sonny,” he said.
“But I also know Fraser Forster very well. The feeling I get is that the group is a good one, and everyone is working hard to turn things around.”
The conversation shifted to a broader issue dominating English football headlines: LGBTQ+ campaigns and the divided opinions they generate.
Wanyama chose a measured response, emphasizing the joy of football amidst the noise surrounding societal debates.
“All my life, it’s always been about being a footballer and just going out there to enjoy the game, and nothing else,” he said.
“I just want to be able to play the game and enjoy it, because the world has come to a point where people don’t even listen to understand; they just want to respond.”
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