Foyth hits ground running at Spurs
ON YOUNGSTERS POCHETTINO WORKS HIS MAGIC
It has been quite a month for Tottenham Hotspur’s 20-year-old Argentine defender Juan Foyth. So assured was he in a 3-1 League Cup victory at West Ham United, his first appearance of the season, that he was rewarded with a first Premier League start a few days later and conceded two penalties in a 3-2 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Retained for the game against Crystal Palace, he was outstanding on a wet night in south-east London, scoring a headed winner. He then flew off to make his Argentina debut against Mexico and was named Man of the Match.
With Jan Vertonghen still injured and question marks over Davinson Sanchez’s hamstring ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with Chelsea, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino would have no qualms about thrusting Foyth into the derby.
The only sticking point could be his late arrival back from Argentina, along with team-mates Erik Lamela and reserve keeper Paulo Gazzaniga, but whether or not he plays, Foyth’s breakthrough says much about the club’s philosophy.
Much was made of Tottenham’s failure to sign a single player in the last transfer window, yet they are fourth in the table despite playing eight of their opening 12 games away.
If they inflict a first league defeat on Chelsea this season they would move above Maurizio Sarri’s side into third spot.
Once again, Argentine Pochet- tino, deprived of the huge transfer kitty available to the other clubs battling for the top four, is proving adept at unearthing gems.
Fullback Kieran Trippier, signed from Burnley as understudy to Kyle Walker, now at Manchester City, and midfielder Harry Winks have become England internationals on Pochettino’s watch.
Lamela has blossomed into an outstanding attacking midfielder and Gazzaniga has looked impressive when called upon to understudy Hugo Lloris.
Pochettino has built his career on trusting young players and Foyth’s emergence is the latest example of why the former Espanyol and Southampton manager is so valued at Spurs.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni praised Foyth after the 2-0 friendly win over Mexico on Friday and acknowledged the part Pochettino had played in the defender’s development in London.