BUT POCHETTINO - LIKE KLOPP & PEP - IS PROUD OF HIS YOUNG PLAYERS
MAURICIO POCHETTINO has become the latest top-six boss to praise his young players – after Jose Mourinho’s swipe at Manchester United’s kids.
The Tottenham manager saw his side round off their US tour with a 1-0 win against AC Milan in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
He then followed the example of Manchester City chief Pep Guardiola and Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp in paying tribute to the rising stars, trying to make an impact in the absence of the club’s A-listers.
Development squad players Luke Amos, George Marsh and – in particular – Oliver Skipp have all seized their opportunity to impress Pochettino.
“I want to congratulate all the academy coaches and staff,” said the Spurs boss.
“They should feel very proud of the youngsters. They behaved really well and were fantastic.
“I think they showed a bright future for our academy and the job that the coaches have been doing over the last 10, 12, 15 years is great.
“I want to congratulate them because the youngsters not only put on a great performance on the pitch, we feel very proud of how they behaved off the pitch too. It’s good to feel proud and now they just need to keep working.”
Klopp, referring to Sheyi Ojo, Curtis Jones, Ben Woodburn and Pedro Chirivella, was upbeat too.
He said: “All the young boys, who came on today, are in really good shape this pre-season, to be honest.
“These boys are completely open. What we will do with that and when, we will see.”
Guardiola was also forced to call up the kids, with City’s senior stars still on their postWorld Cup holiday.
He said: “It’s been a joy working with these young players. They are so hungry. I want to thank them.”
Georges-Kevin Nkoudou’s second-half goal sealed the victory for Spurs over Milan.
And Pochettino added: “I am happier with the performance than the result. To compete against a very good side – just like we did against Barcelona and Roma – and to gain that experience for a lot of youngsters is fantastic.”
Tottenham travel to face Girona in Spain on Saturday before starting their Premier League campaign away to Newcastle a week later.