Pochettino can’t wait to go back home
Tottenham have everything in place to become one of Europe’s top clubs, but need the stability of a permanent home, according to manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Spurs’ attempts to establish themselves among the continent’s elite suffered a major setback in midweek when they were knocked out of the Champions League by Serie A champions Juventus.
Wednesday’s second leg defeat against the Italian side came at Wembley, the club’s temporary home while a new 62,000-seater stadium is constructed on the site of their former White Hart Lane ground.
And Pochettino – whose team are scheduled to return to north-east London in the summer – believes a settled environment is vital to success.
“First of all to be in a place that you feel at home, in your new stadium, everything is stable,” the Argentinian replied when asked what is required to progress to the next level. “That, I think, is the most important. “This season, it’s Wembley and we feel very good, but all of the stress at the beginning, always we are going to pay for this.
“For our fans, for everyone, the process will start next season, start to feel like a home in the new stadium.
“That’s not an excuse, that is the reality and when we assess the team, we cannot put (leave) this out. We need to include this situation.
“We’re in a good way to create a massive club because we have all the tools to be one of the biggest clubs in Europe.”
Tottenham have little time to dwell on their European disappointment as they travel to Bournemouth on Sunday looking to boost their topfour aspirations in the Premier League.
Eddie Howe’s mid- table Cherries have won at Chelsea and beaten Arsenal in the past two months and Pochettino is wary of the threat they pose to the division’s top clubs.
“They feel strong against big teams like Chelsea, they are capable to win against Chelsea and Arsenal,” he added.
“They try to play football, (with a) philosophy like a big club. They try to dominate.
“Always against the big teams, they make very big performances.”
Spurs midfielder Eric Dier faces a late fitness test on an elbow injury ahead of the game at the Vitality Stadium, while defender Toby Alderweireld remains sidelined with a hamstring problem.
Full- back Serge Aurier returns to contention following his European suspension, while Lucas Moura will be hoping for a starting berth.