Toby’s not fit enough for big Euro tie
Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld will not face Juventus tonight as he believes the defender is not yet fit enough for a crunch Champions League tie.
Pochettino told Alderweireld he would miss the match in Turin during a conversation that lasted longer than two hours.
He told a press conference that to go up against a team like Juventus, every player needed to be at “200 per cent” fitness.
Alderweireld played 90 minutes against Newport in the FA Cup last week, having returned from a 14-week absence due to a hamstring tear.
The Belgian declared after the match he felt “very good” but was not included in the squad against Arsenal on Saturday and did not join the travelling party to Italy either.
“He is 28 and it was a massive injury that we need to take care and be cautious with because we cannot put his career at risk,” Pochettino said.
“To play this type of game you need to be 200 per cent. Competing is not the same as training and that’s why we are caring about him with our plan.”
Tottenham are still to persuade Alderweireld to extend his current contract, which expires in the summer of 2019, but Pochettino says this latest absence is down to nothing other than physical factors.
“We have a nice conversation after the Liverpool game. We explained during two hours - first it was a conversation with (assistant manager) Jesus (Perez) and for nearly two hours with Jesus and myself,” Pochettino said.
“The player always feels they are fit to play but it is our responsibility to take the best decision.”