MX23RW : Thursday, August 23 18:05:41
Aug 18, 2018 at 3pm UK at ​White Hart Lane
Attendance: 58,297
SpursTottenham Hotspur
3-1
Fulham
Moura (43'), Trippier (74'), Kane (77')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Mitrovic (52')

Mauricio Pochettino: 'I only want players who are committed to Tottenham'

Pochettino: 'I only want committed players'
© Reuters
Mauricio Pochettino gives a six-minute answer after being left frustrated by repeated questions regarding the futures of certain players.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has insisted that he is only interested in selecting players who are fully committed to the club.

The Lilywhites are said to have made centre-back Toby Alderweireld, full-back Danny Rose and central midfielder Moussa Sissoko available for transfer this summer.

Alderweireld played the full 90 minutes of Saturday's 3-1 win against Fulham after being left out for the 2-1 victory against Newcastle United last weekend, while Rose and Sissoko were unused subs at Wembley.

Asked specifically about the future of Alderweireld after the match, Pochettino spoke uninterrupted for six minutes about what he expects from those in his squad, and vowed that he would not be "blackmailed" by any unhappy players.

"I won't talk about him; I'll talk in general always," he told reporters. "I want players committed with the team. Players that are not happy, from my point of view, can leave. Then it's different if they can negotiate with Daniel [Levy, the Spurs chairman] or not. But 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. Today, I am so open to listen to players if they want to leave. But if they are going to be here, I want full commitment. If not, tomorrow we can find a solution. I am so tired talking about this. If I am here, in my position as manager, because the club trusts in my decision, not because I am so handsome... maybe that too!

"I understand every single situation, I understand agents, I understand that football is a big business too and people protect their assets and duh duh duh, daa daa, doo doo too! 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 I'll go home. When I started playing football it was because I loved the emotions. When I started my career as a manager it was to provide the players with the tools to play and enjoy football on the pitch. But sometimes it is so tough, but that is part of my job too, I understand."

Spurs became the first Premier League club to not make a summer signing since the current transfer window system was adopted in 2003.

Share this article now:
Tottenham Hotspur's Danny Rose applauds the fans after the match against Leicester City on May 13, 2018
Read Next:
Pochettino 'to sanction Danny Rose exit'
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!
Tables

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account