(Midfield)

PORTUGUESE INTERNATIONAL

Started well, with some assured performances, moving the ball well and showing a good range of passing.  Hit his first goal for the club in the New Year's Day win over Everton - a rasping drive from outside the box and then scored again, but it became "the goal that never was", when his lob from the halfway line was stopped by Manchester United keeper Roy Carroll at least a yard over the goal-line and the referee failed to signal a goal at Old Trafford.

It appeared that Martin Jol preferred Michael Carrick to Mendes, while Santini had been of the opposite view.  A toe injury restricted him and gave the England midfielder the opportunity to establish himself in the Spurs side.  It was a shame that Mendes was not given more chance to show what he could do, as he looked a classy midfielder, but may not have been athletic enough for Jol.

With his appearances becoming more and more limited, so when the opportunity came to join Portsmouth (along with Sean Davis and Now Pamarot - two more Santini purchases), he went as part of an £8 million deal for all three.

Suffered a horrendous incident in August 2006, when Manchester City defender Ben Thatcher hit Mendes with his forearm and the player was knocked unconscious and suffered a fit when he hit the advertising hoardings.