When I first arrived here we’d have lost this game 6-0
ERIKSEN’S TRIBUTE TO POCHETTINO’S TOTTENHAM TRANSFORMATION AFTER THE FIGHTBACK IN TURIN
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN claims Tottenham have shed their reputation as a soft touch with their fightback against Juventus.
He believes turning the tie around in such an impressive way in Turin shows why boss Mauricio Pochettino will snub Real Madrid and stay at White Hart Lane. Spurs were 2-0 down after nine minutes but did not cave in and instead battled back to earn a draw with two away goals which must make them favourites to reach the Champions League quarter-finals. Eriksen was outstanding again but the Denmark midfielder maintains the team’s change in attitude and maturity is down to Pochettino – and the players are now dreaming of winning the European Cup.
Eriksen said: “Of course we are building on every season compared to when I arrived here four, five years ago now and back then with the games against the top teams when you are 2-0 down after nine minutes you lose 6-0.
“That’s the thing we’ve changed with the manager coming in, with the players we have here. Everyone has grown up and they are not going to lie down if they are 2-0 down anyway.
“I don’t know if you ever feel ready to win it. Most clubs are just used to it. Tottenham are not used to it but of course Tottenham are going to give everything we can to get as close as possible to get our hands on a trophy.
“To get there is the first step. Luckily we have a good result and the next step is to go through.
“Tottenham has become, compared to what it was when I came to now, completely different.
“That’s up to the manager, up to the players and the quality we have in the squad really.”
Pochettino’s progress in his four years at the club has been impressive even if he has yet to win a trophy with the north Londoners.
But that has not stopped Real Madrid making admiring glances and Pochettino is likely to be top of their shortlist if they sack Zinedine Zidane.
However, Eriksen – who grabbed the equaliser in Italy after Harry Kane hauled Spurs back into the game – believes Pochettino will stay and finish the job he has started, especially given Spurs are building a new stadium.
He added: “The players are happy with him, the club is very happy with him but of course, it’s his decision.
“But I think what’s he’s building here he would like to be part of it.
“I think that’s what he showed when he signed the new deal, a long-term deal, but of course there will be interest from other clubs because he’s doing really well.
“Hopefully he’ll stay, we don’t really think about that.”
Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli echoed Eriksen’s view on the team spirit which inspired the response in Turin.
Alli said: “We’ve a great dressing room, the boys believe in themselves and each other and in the team.
“The way we play we have a lot of belief in the system. We
were going into the game in a lot of confidence.
“You’re wondering what’s going on (at 2-0 down), trying to get the boys going again, get yourself going and pick yourself up, because we’ve got a lot of confidence in our team.
“But when you start that poorly you make it difficult for yourself. Overall it was a good night and a great result for us.”
Alli also insists he will ignore the backlash and criticism after being caught in a cheat storm when he was booked at Liverpool for diving.
He added: “I think people always react to things. I’m not focused on that, I’m focusing on the football. I’m focusing on every game. I don’t get brought into whatever people are saying I just keep playing.
“I just want to keep improving as a player and keep going. I try not to let anything bother me. I just keep going and focusing on the team and playing well.”