Mauricio Pochettino sends stern message to Tottenham stars ahead of tricky Leicester clash

Posted Saturday, September 21, 2019 by Express.co.uk

Mauricio Pochettino sends stern message to Tottenham stars ahead of tricky Leicester clash (Image: GETTY)

Mauricio Pochettino has warned his Tottenham side that they must up their standards or else will endure a season less successful than last.

Mauricio Pochettino has issued a challenge to his Tottenham squad: “Prove you are better than last year.”

Last term Spurs reached the Champions League final and finished fourth in the Premier League.

But in five years under the Argentine they have yet to win any silverware - and on Friday, Pochettino remarkably admitted that this current squad may not be as good as last year’s European heroes.

Pochettino, whose side opened this season’s Champions League campaign by throwing away a two-goal lead at Olympiakos to only draw 2-2 on Wednesday, said: “At the moment I don’t believe this is the best squad.

“If you only see the results, playing in the final of the Champions League, it’s easy to say the better squad was last season’s - because we got to the final.

“We will see at the end of the season. If we can repeat that feat, or if we win a trophy, maybe then we can talk about this is being the best squad we have had.”

Pochettino was able to add more than ￡120million worth of new players to that squad over the summer after no signings the previous close season.

Ryan Sessegnon, Tanguy Ndombele, Jack Clarke and Kion Etete all arrived, as well as Giovani Lo Celso on loan - but the Tottenham manager has repeatedly hinted that he has not been happy with transfer activity.

What has also not helped has been the constant speculation over the futures of Christian Erikesen, Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, whose contracts run out at the end of this season.

Pochettino, whose side travel to high-riding Leicester in Saturday’s early kick-off, added: “Personal situations change every single season.

“If you are not lucky enough to have a good thing happen, it is going to create a big problem in your mind which will affect your family or people around you.

“That is human, that is normal. It is not only about rumours, it’s about personal situations.

“When different situations happen at the same time, in the same room, it is normal that you need to be careful about how you are going to manage.

“And after, you need time to refocus the goals and the challenges.

“England is a very competitive country. We are lucky to have the possibility to play in four competitions - so every player needs to be ready to play now, is going to have the possibility to play - and they need to show their quality.”

Probable Tottenham team to face Leicester City: Lloris; Aurier, Alderwiereld, Vertonghen, Rose; Winks, Lamela, Sissoko, Eriksen; Son, Kane.