MY STARS ARE NOT WORN OUT, SAYS POCH
MaurICIO Pochettino has hit back at claims his players are tired and overworked and insisted he is doing everything possible to keep them fresh and fit.
Pochettino made sure each member of the Tottenham squad enjoyed at least 21 days’ rest after the world Cup, whereas, he claimed, some Manchester City players reported back after 15 days.
He revealed how Kieran Trippier and Danny rose were replaced when they asked to come off at Manchester united because they were exhausted with 20 minutes to play.
The spurs boss gave Trippier extra time off after England games against spain and switzerland so he was ready to face Liverpool — and then omitted Trippier and Toby alderweireld from the game at Inter Milan four days later.
‘ we are not gamblers,’ said Pochettino. ‘Go back to united, after 70 minutes both full backs asked to leave the pitch because they were tired. They were ready again to play after one week. we provided Kieran more time to recover after the international break to be sure he could play in a very good way against Liverpool. we didn’t train too much because we prioritised rest and recovery.
‘It was a tough game against Liverpool, 90 minutes and to play again after three days against another big-level team, against a very good player, it wasn’t the best.’
Pochettino likes to drive his squad hard in pre-season but this year ensured they all received three weeks off after the world Cup, the minimum rest recommended by the players’ union.
‘we gave all the players 21 days off,’ said the spurs boss. ‘More than some teams because we wanted to be fair with everyone.
‘I was talking to (City coach) Mikel arteta and because they played a week before in the Community shield they agreed to have only 15 days’ holiday.’
Pochettino is under close scrutiny after three defeats. He has used seven defenders in three different back-four units in six games — Jan Vertonghen started six (won three, lost three); alderweireld, Trippier and Ben Davies started four (all won two, lost two); serge aurier, Davinson sanchez and rose started two (all won one, lost one).
Pochettino will make more changes today at Brighton.
He believes the issue of fatigue is overstated. The team’s mileage is down on last season but his concerns surround attitude and desire, not fitness, tactics and selection. some players, he thought, were carried away by the 3-0 win at Old Trafford.
‘we are good when we run more than the opponents,’ said Pochettino. ‘when we won against teams with similar or better quality than us, we run between six and 10 kilometres more than the opponent.
‘This season, it’s not that we don’t run. we ran two kilometres more than Liverpool but we need more. For different reasons, we need to create twice as many chances than another team to score.’