The Spurs loanee is yet to start in domestic competition this season, and the manager suggests he lacks enough physicality to do so.
With the team desperately in need of an additional striker, Tottenham dipped in the summer transfer market and brought in Carlos Vinicius.
Spurs learned it the hard way that they need a back-up for Harry Kane as they barely managed to earn a Europa League qualifying spot last season after the club’s third-best all-time scorer missed more than 15 games due to various fitness issues.
Vinicius was then signed from Benfica on a season-long loan deal with an option to make his transfer permanent for €45 million.
He seems to have settled well in North London, scoring two goals and registering three assists in four Europa League matches.
Despite his fine form, however, Jose Mourinho has been reluctant to play him in the Premier League with the Brazilian limited to just one 12 minutes of action in the English top-flight.
“He is not playing a lot, especially in Premier League but he helped us to win the game at West Bromwich and in Europa League,” said Mourinho, explaining Vinicius’ lack of domestic minutes, via Football London.
“He is doing okay and adapting. He is a big boy, a strong boy, and needs to be more physical in the Premier League but I am happy.
“It is good for the team to have that because for example last season, if Harry Kane needed a rest – we couldn’t, and because Vinicius is here, the squad is much more balanced.”
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