Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is the biggest winner of the international break – before a ball has even been kicked
THE international break has not even started but we already know its biggest winner.
Not the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland or even Denmark – but Mauricio Pochettino.
The Tottenham boss has worked wonders in his three-and-a-half years in charge to transform the North Londoners from perennial Europa Leaguers into a top-four Premier League club and genuine title contenders.
But that minor miracle is nothing compared to the one he has pulled off in getting four of his top players the next fortnight off.
While their fellow Premier League international stars will be jetting off to play for their countries in friendlies or crucial World Cup qualifiers, Spurs stars Hugo Lloris, Dele Alli, Harry Winks and Harry Kane will be sat at home with their feet up er, sorry no…I meant, recovering after being declared ‘injured’ by their Poch’s medical staff. Hmmm.
It’s a good job none are entitled to sickness benefit or else Tottenham could be getting a visit from Dominic Littlewood and his ‘Named and Shamed’ benefits fraud investigation team from the BBC.
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Keeper Lloris was withdrawn from the France squad with a groin injury he suffered in the closing stages of Tottenham’s 3-1 win over Real Madrid last Wednesday – even though he managed to finish the match.
Dele Alli was ruled out of England’s squad with a hamstring problem he allegedly suffered in Spurs’ 1-0 defeat at Manchester United the Saturday before last and which caused him to miss Sunday’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace.
HARR TODAY GONE TOMORROW Kane and Winks out of England squad to face Brazil and Germany
That was despite the fact it did not stop him from playing 90 minutes and a starring role against Real Madrid in-between when he scored twice to help Pochettino’s men thump the holders in their Champions League clash.
Midfielder Winks was a cert to be pulled out of the Three Lions squad after he injured his ankle and was subbed at half time of his team’s win over Palace on Sunday.
But the big shock was Kane, who was withdrawn with Winks yesterday, just hours after telling reporters as he left Wembley that despite his manager’s fears, he would be willing to play against both Germany and Brazil.
In his Eagles’ post-match Press conference, Pochettino issued a plea to England boss Gareth Southgate to use Kane sparingly in the two prestige international friendlies.
But on his way home the frontman said: “That isn’t my call, it’s down to Gareth.
“Gareth will make the decision based on what he thinks is best for the players and the team.
“If I’m fit and called upon I’m happy to play. It’s always an honour to play for my country.
“I’d never turn that down, so we’ll see what happens.”
Well, Pochettino clearly won.
And he with his quartet of stars rested the Spurs boss looks likelier to be the winner when his team return to Prem action in their next game after the international break… away to ARSENAL!
Arsene Wenger will be spitting tonight and wishing he had built up as good a relationship with Southgate, Didier Deschamps and his other international counterparts.
