Yet there he was, our former midfielder locked in conversation with Robert De Zerbi, just minutes after Richarlison’s late, late goal beat the Blues.
As it turns out (a) Kevin now lives in Sydney and (b) the pair were together for a short spell during Roberto’s time managing Sassuolo in Italy.
Suddenly, it all made sense...
Now 39 and retired since 2023, we might not have seen the best of a young Kevin in a Lilywhite shirt after he joined us at the age of 20 in 2007, but what a career he went on to have.
Just look at the clubs he played for – Borussia Dortmund, Milan, Schalke 04, Eintracht Frankfurt, Barcelona, Fiorentina, Besiktas, not forgetting 15 caps for Ghana, including appearances at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
Approachable as ever, looking at picture of health, here’s what he had to say…
Q1 | I’m sure everyone will want to know what you’re up to Kevin – what are you doing in Sydney?
Kevin: “I came to Sydney in 2023. I was initially invited here by FIFA. I then I fell in love with the country, fell in love with my wife, found God, and now I've been here for three years.”
Q2 | You were with us as such a young man – how to you reflect on your time at Spurs now?
Kevin: “Yes, I was 20 years old. Wow, it was the wildest time of my life. 20 years old, earning a lot of money, being lost in London. It was crazy. Sometimes I can't even call myself a Spurs player because I was more in the nightclubs than I was at the training ground! It was all an experience, and I had a great time. I just hope Spurs can do a lot now with De Zerbi, for me, the best coach in the world. Even today against Chelsea, you could see the quality in the first half. The club did something great to bring him in.”
Q3 | You speak so highly of Roberto – did you spend time with him in your career?
Kevin: “Yes, I was with him in Sassuolo, for six months. He made me play so well that I signed for Barcelona!”
Q4 | That’s fascinating – give us an insight into life under Roberto…
Kevin: “He's the best. It's very difficult to find a manager who is both great on the field, tactics-wise, and as a human. There are a lot of coaches that only have one of those characteristics. He has both, and more. He's like a real, real best friend, like a father to young players and he's just the best on the field. The way he wants to play football and the perfectionism. You can see what it means to him. You can go and ask every single player in the dressing room. They all love him. There's not one who doesn't like him. It's for sure. I guarantee that. We have a strong, strong relationship and a lot of respect.”
Q5 | Finally, how has retirement been for you?
Kevin: “Good! Relaxing, enjoying life. As I said, I serve God. It's a lot of work serving God. It's the biggest job I've had, just coming down from the 19 years of a tornado of my career.”