Mauricio Pochettino predicts problems for Spurs at start of the Premier League season due to World Cup hangover
Tottenham beat Roma in their International Champions Cup friendly without nine of their World Cup semi-finalists as Pochettino looks to his fringe players to kick-off the campaign
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Your support makes all the difference.Mauricio Pochettino believes the after-effects of the World Cup will be felt by the bulk of Premier League during the formative stages of the new season.
Despite missing their nine World Cup semi-finalists, Spurs produced an impressive pre-season performance in San Diego on Wednesday night after their makeshift side thrashed Champions League semi-finalists Roma 4-1.
Although World Cup trio Christian Eriksen, Davinson Sanchez and Son Heung-min were all able to feature in the International Champions Cup encounter, the absence of the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Hugo Lloris continues to overshadow Pochettino’s pre-season preparations – a situation not helped by the lack of any summer signings.
But the Spurs boss insists both he – and many other Premier League managers – simply have to make the best of a bad situation.
“It’s different circumstances [this summer] because the [World Cup] players need to rest and a period to recover after more than 12 months of competition,” said Pochettino.
“I’m not complaining about that. I completely understand that they need 21 days away from football.
“Of course, it’s a massive disadvantage because to prepare the season in that way will be tough for them. But I need to adapt.
“We cannot delete the start of the season. It starts earlier than other leagues and other countries. We are going to be all in a similar condition. Some teams have more problems than others.”
With so many key players missing, Pochettino says opportunity has to knock for other members of the squad. The likes of Serge Aurier and Lucas Moura both caught the eye in southern California, with the latter netting a first half brace.
“Today was a great opportunity for players to show their quality and show they can be important one day. We have to provide them with the place to play,” he said.
Fernando Llorente also grabbed a first half double, amidst ongoing speculation that the veteran Spanish striker could be allowed to leave the club if the right offer comes in this summer.
But in stark contrast to Llorente’s fellow frontman Vincent Janssen – who Pochettino has already confirmed is surplus to requirements – the Argentine refused to be drawn on the 33-year-old’s future.
“I’m not going to talk about individual situations,” added Pochettino.
“Of course, I’m happy when a striker scores. We’ve got Moura as well. They are working so hard.
“Pre-season is a bit different from before because of the World Cup. It’s a massive opportunity for them to show they can fight for one place in the starting XI.
“There are many rumours around the team. I cannot talk and I don’t want to talk because we need to be focused on working hard and arrive in the best way and best form for the first game of the season.”
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