Timothy Fosu-Mensah has revealed that he remains in close contact with Jose Mourinho ever since joining Crystal Palace on loan earlier this month.
The Dutchman, who broke into the first team under Louis van Gaal in February 2016, was a regular presence in the first team last season but only managed three starts overall. He continued to impress over pre-season, especially against Real Madrid, and after attracting attention from Watford decided to join Palace – now managed by fellow countryman and former Ajax boss Frank de Boer – on a season long loan.
And he has been thrown straight into the action. De Boer’s men have made a pitiful start to their Premier League campaign, losing 3-0 to new-boys Huddersfield and 1-0 to Liverpool, but Fosu-Mensah – deployed as a right sided defender in a back three – can take bride in how he has adjusted to life further down the table. He turned heads with a goal-saving tackle against the former side and, in spite of playing in an unusual position, looked composed on the ball at Anfield and did well to keep the hosts at bay for large parts of the game.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Fosu-Mensah noted that he has made some important developmental steps even after just a few weeks at Selhurst Park and revealed that he remains in close contact with Mourinho, who clearly sees the 19-year-old as a talented prospect after handing him a new contract in October 2016.
“He’s been texting but sometimes he rings,” he said.
“Sometimes it is the assistant too (Rui Faria). It’s definitely good to have that contact because I’m still under contract there.
“He’s (Jose) told me to just keep focusing on my game. We spoke and both came to the agreement that this is the best move for my development. He’s said that we should keep talking to each other.”
“If you don’t look at the results then it’s been a good first few weeks. I’ve been learning a lot. I’m fine playing wherever the manager wants me to. I’ve played centre back when I was younger, I know how to play in that role.
“It is important for me to get games now. I’m 19, almost 20. I need to keep playing and learn a lot, to keep improving.”
