'Everyone knows I am not a No.9' - Lucas thrilled with Mourinho role

Lucas Moura is feeling the love at Tottenham once more following the arrival of Jose Mourinho, a manager who has long admired the Brazilian.

Spurs's Champions League hat-trick hero has been restored to the side after enduring a tough start to the season under sacked Mauricio Pochettino and is reaping the rewards, with a goal and an assist in Mourinho's first two games.

Reports from his home country over the international break claimed Lucas's relationship with Pochettino had soured after he was dropped from the starting XI for the Champions League Final in June having fired Spurs there with his semi-final heroics in Amsterdam.

Lucas started just six games in all competitions this season under Pochettino but has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of Mourinho's appointment, and it feels like a partnership that has been a long time coming, with the former Real Madrid boss having tried to sign the winger during his time in Spain.

"When I was at Sao Paulo I had a conversation with him [about joining Madrid], not me but my agent and parents," said Lucas. "In the last moment PSG went in and I decided to go to Paris.

"I am happy he likes me and he said it, it is very important to me to have this confidence from the coach and I hope to help him, help the team. I will always give my best and I am happy for the opportunity he has given me."

Mourinho has deployed Lucas in his favoured role out on the right wing against both West Ham, where he scored only his third goal of the season, and Olympiacos, where he teed up Harry Kane for the all-important equaliser which sent Spurs into the last 16 of the Champions League.

Under Pochettino, Lucas was often used more centrally and is relishing the chance to take on his best role once more.

"Everyone knows I am not a No9, it is not my best position," said Lucas. "When Pochettino put me there I always gave my best because for me the most important thing is the team but each coach has one opinion.

"Now I feel very good in this position. I always played in this position, I feel good and I am happy."

With Tottenham having reached the knockout stages once more - and Mourinho this week downgrading their chances of winning the competition from a miracle to "very difficult" - Lucas believes the manager can toughen the mentality of the club.

"Yes I think so. I have never worked with him and I am knowing him now but in the beginning it is very, very good," he said. "Everyone is happy, everyone is optimistic and step by step we are knowing him and putting his philosophy.

"He is a winner, a champion. He has a lot of trophies and I am sure he has too much to bring for us and to add to our team, our club. Everyone is optimistic with him and we believe in his job."