Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino gave a five-minute answer when asked about the future of defender Toby Alderweireld - discussing the English origins of the game and comparing football to basketball.
Speaking after Spurs' 3-1 win over Fulham, Pochettino said he would not be "blackmailed" or "pressured" to include a player in his team.
Alderweireld, who was heavily linked with a move in the summer, played the full match while Danny Rose and Mousa Dembele, both also said to be available for transfer, were substitutes.
"Players that don't play need to wait until I am sacked or go elsewhere to find a solution," said Pochettino.
Alderweireld had been an unused substitute as Spurs began the new season with a 2-1 win at Newcastle, having helped Belgium finish third at the World Cup.
"I am so open if players want to leave, but if they are going to be here I want all commitment, if not we can find a solution," added Pochettino.
"I am so tired to talk about if some players aren't happy or some players want to leave. Of course every player if they don't play will be disappointed."
Spurs became the first Premier League club to not make a summer signing since the current transfer window system was adopted in 2003.
And Pochettino could still lose players to overseas clubs as the deadlines for Europe's other majors leagues are later in August.
Tottenham boss frustrated at fringe players
posted on 19/8/18
I hope you're right! It all depends upon Levy what we end up selling Rose for, but it would be a very bad move to do it.
As for "replacements" did we get an adequate replacement for Walker?
I don't trust Levy's "replacements".
City list four top class strikers on their roster last time I looked.
But we have fans on here who predict we will win the League, the FA Cup and the European Championship this year!!
I think those fans are in for a dose of "down to earth"!
I call them the DA crowd, D for dumb and A for ....
posted on 19/8/18
comment by JustCallMeTed (U21528)
posted 1 hour, 2 minutes ago
As I said Ledders, "all is not well in the dressing room".
We are still learning about our fearless manager! And I think he has an ego which gets in the way of his relationship with his players at times. But I think he's coming to terms with Toby at least. Now about Rose ....?
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I’m all for the manager or coach having the power in the dressing room, but cutting off his nose to spite his own face would be ridiculous. It’s right that he picks the best players if they’re fit and in form instead of letting contract stand-offs get in the way. This is his 5th season in charge now, this is HIS squad. The time for pats on the back and plaudits has passed now, he needs to deliver trophies.
posted on 19/8/18
Ledders, Absolutely! Time for some silverware.
That said, Poch can't afford to lose anyone just now.
And as to my point about injuries, just look what's happened to ManCity with Kevin DeBruyne. That's knocked their rating down a few clicks.
posted on 19/8/18
comment by Ledders the King - 2017/18 FF Enders league champion 🏆 (U20121)
posted 17 minutes ago
comment by JustCallMeTed (U21528)
posted 1 hour, 2 minutes ago
As I said Ledders, "all is not well in the dressing room".
We are still learning about our fearless manager! And I think he has an ego which gets in the way of his relationship with his players at times. But I think he's coming to terms with Toby at least. Now about Rose ....?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I’m all for the manager or coach having the power in the dressing room, but cutting off his nose to spite his own face would be ridiculous. It’s right that he picks the best players if they’re fit and in form instead of letting contract stand-offs get in the way. This is his 5th season in charge now, this is HIS squad. The time for pats on the back and plaudits has passed now, he
——————-
BS. He has spent literally less than every other premier club in that time. Managed out aload of bad eggs. Oversaw a change in training facilities. Oversaw a stadium change. Managed to get our highest points total ever. There is absolutely no pressure on Poch whatsoever imo. We OWE him everything.
posted on 19/8/18
comment by TobyJanKaneobi (U15068)
posted 14 minutes ago
comment by Ledders the King - 2017/18 FF Enders league champion 🏆 (U20121)
posted 17 minutes ago
comment by JustCallMeTed (U21528)
posted 1 hour, 2 minutes ago
As I said Ledders, "all is not well in the dressing room".
We are still learning about our fearless manager! And I think he has an ego which gets in the way of his relationship with his players at times. But I think he's coming to terms with Toby at least. Now about Rose ....?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I’m all for the manager or coach having the power in the dressing room, but cutting off his nose to spite his own face would be ridiculous. It’s right that he picks the best players if they’re fit and in form instead of letting contract stand-offs get in the way. This is his 5th season in charge now, this is HIS squad. The time for pats on the back and plaudits has passed now, he
——————-
BS. He has spent literally less than every other premier club in that time. Managed out aload of bad eggs. Oversaw a change in training facilities. Oversaw a stadium change. Managed to get our highest points total ever. There is absolutely no pressure on Poch whatsoever imo. We OWE him everything.
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We’re led to believe there has been money to spend in spite of the stadium, that’s what the club have said haven’t they? So if that’s true it means he or Levy have chosen not to spend the money.
The fact that you say he’s managed out a load of bad eggs backs up what I said about this being his squad. He’s had time to shape the squad into what he wants it to be.
If you’re content with doing well but not winning anything then that’s up to you, I don’t subscribe to that idea, not too sure our players will for the rest of their careers either.
posted on 19/8/18
comment by JustCallMeTed (U21528)
posted 1 hour, 36 minutes ago
When Rose voiced his opinions, he was speaking for all the players, and had quite a few of them on his side.
But that was so long ago, it should have been settle by now!
Rose ain't injured anymore. And he put in a shift at the WC.
No reason he can't be playing for us here - do you really prefer Davies?
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Rose won't have changed his opinion. He said so at the time, and I imagine a transfer window in which we've done no business will just have reaffirmed his doubts about the club, so who knows where his head is at right now.
I don't believe Poch is not playing him because he still holds a grudge.
posted on 19/8/18
So a manager decides to play certain players and leabe others on the sub and suddenly it becomes more than just a tactical move?
Some fans
Didn't Toby play yesterday?
Dembele is prone to injuries so he needs to be managed from game to game, so we can get more out of his playing time.
Lamela suits perfectly the diamond shape, which we swapped to at the end of yesterday' game so that's why he was brought on.
Stop reading tabloids and believing everything, like a gullible Sandra
The only issue with the club is the announcement of 15th Sept as the opening game
They surely knew i wouldn't happen and yet by nt telling fans, they guaranteed a bumper attendance
posted on 19/8/18
Can I ask where this report was published? I’m guessing the Sun or Mirror.
Having heard the full 5 minute response I can assure everyone this has been taken wildly out of context to suit a particular agenda.
Poch was very complimentary of Toby and said if he had an issue with any player they wouldn’t be playing, suggesting their relationship is currently good. As others have said, his frustration was about the media’s questions, not his own squad and not the board.
posted on 19/8/18
“But for me, I want players who are fully committed with the team and want to fight for the team. The players that are here are all committed. Not one told me today that they wanted to find a solution. That is why I’m not going to make any comment about that situation because you know it’s so...everyone can have their opinion and it’s a lot of parts in different situations that can give or provide different information.
”It’s a lot of things that I can say, but I promise you I’m not going to waste time talking about individual situations. [Those who are] not happy, we have the possibility to fix it. Every week or every month the club pay their salary on the 28th. The players, when they sign a contract, they sign to be available to be selected by the manager.
“But when they sign they sign to show the manager in training that they deserve to play. The manager can have some predilection, maybe to play with three at the back or four or five. Look players who don’t play they need to wait, if I’m going to be sacked or if someone, or another, finds another solution.
”Look you know better than me, but it’s wasting time like this. It’s not going to change. You’re not going to put pressure on me, or put pressure on my decision. Nobody is going to blackmail me. The club is not going to put pressure on me or if not I go home. Look, many things can happen. Sorry for giving you this situation, but I am so... I want to enjoy football I promise you.”
posted on 19/8/18
comment by WorcesterSpur (U1678)
posted 9 hours, 16 minutes ago
Can I ask where this report was published? I’m guessing the Sun or Mirror.
Having heard the full 5 minute response I can assure everyone this has been taken wildly out of context to suit a particular agenda.
Poch was very complimentary of Toby and said if he had an issue with any player they wouldn’t be playing, suggesting their relationship is currently good. As others have said, his frustration was about the media’s questions, not his own squad and not the board.
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The British Broadcasting Company:
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45236561