Pochettino: My players are fit and able to play
TOTTENHAM manager Mauricio Pochettino has dismissed claims his players are tired and are being over-worked.
Spurs are in the midst of a three-game losing streak, having been beaten by Watford, Liverpool and Inter Milan, and there have been suggestions they are jaded, with Harry Kane being the subject of particular scrutiny.
Kane was one of nine men in their squad that were in Russia for the entirety of the World Cup and only returned to pre-season training a week before the Premier League kicked off.
But Pochettino, who takes his side to Brighton on Saturday teatime, insisted his players were all given 21 days off and that was more than some other Premier League stars.
“After four years, now this is the fifth, I know that the most important thing is we are so flexible and we try to provide the best for each player to feel great, with a lot of energy and have very good performance on the pitch. But no-one complained that they were tired, wanted more days off.
“We provided all the players 21 days off. More than some teams. I think (Manchester) City, I was talking with (Mikel) Arteta because we wanted to be fair with everyone, and they gave the possibility to arrive one week before us because they played one week before in the Community Shield. They have only 15 days holidays.”
The build-up and aftermath of Tottenham’s 2-1 defeat at the San Siro this week was dominated by Pochettino’s decision to leave Kieran Trippier and Toby Alderweireld at home.
Pochettino has finally revealed why Trippier was left at home.
“We provided more time to recover after the international break to be sure he could play in a very good way against Liverpool,” Pochettino said.
“I go back to Manchester United, remember in the second half after 70 minutes the two fullbacks Danny Rose and Kieran Trippier ask to leave the pitch and they were ready again to play one week after.
“Because they were tired. It is difficult to cope in a high-level game working hard. When you see all that happened it’s an easy answer.”