Moura insists there is no problem with Pochettino
Lucas Moura respects Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to drop him for the Uefa Champions League final – and will try to use that disappointment to drive Tottenham Hotspur to silverware this season.
Signed from Paris Saint-Germain in January 2018, the 26-year-old struck a hat-trick that propelled Spurs to their first ever European Cup final.
But Lucas’ semi-final heroics against Ajax did not prove enough for a starting berth in the Madrid finale, with Harry Kane favoured in attack despite a lengthy absence following injury.
The Brazil international eventually came on in the 66th minute and was unable to prevent Spurs from succumbing to a 2-0 loss to Liverpool.
“Of course, it was difficult because every player wants to play,” Lucas said as he and his teammates prepare for today’s friendly with Juventus in Singapore. “I really think we could do better, could win this trophy. We had quality for this.
“I need to respect the decision of the coach and respect my teammates, so no problem with this. I look forward now to next season to do a great season as well. Win a trophy, that is my objective.
“For sure, he has a good reason for this and I am sure that it was difficult for him as well to choose a player. He needs to choose only 11. I respect, I am a professional. No problem for this. Now I look forward to the next season.”
Lucas brushed aside a question about whether Pochettino had spoken to him about the decision and is clearly focused on the future.
“I understand the way Mauricio wants us to play,” he said. “I feel very good now. I feel really at home with my teammates and my club.
“I am very happy and I can’t wait to start the new season, to do my best and have a great season like the last one. I think we are at another level. We reached the Champions League final.
“We got into the new stadium. People believe in us more now and it is time to confirm this, that we are a big team, a big club, with a great squad. We will see what will happen this season.”
Asked if Spurs are entering a new era now, he said: “I think so, yes. I think it is a new era for us with the new stadium, with the Champions League final. We got more confidence and people believe more in us now.
“It’s time to confirm this, it’s time to dream with a trophy. That is our objective now and we will do our best for this.”
Moura believes that training the intense Singapore humidity will be useful for he and his teammates for conditioning ahead of the new season.
“We are doing a good job here, working hard,” he said. “We need to enjoy this time on the pitch as well and of course outside to know a new country, new people, a new culture. That is very good for us.
“The challenge is training in conditions like this. Very hot. But it helps to improve ourselves, our shape. We are having a good time here.”