After last night’s game, Mauricio Pochettino was in a great mood. You can understand why. He’d got a massive win against his old club at home, and there’s more good news to come.
When asked about it in his post match press conference, the coach admitted that he would indeed have players coming back from injury: Christopher Nkunku sounds like a maybe, but Levi Colwill very much a “yes.” Pochettino actually brought the defender’s name up himself.
That will add some strength to the bench – but don’t expect him to waltz right back into the team. Pochettino also warned that “they need to make the effort. It’s not ‘because you’re a big name, you have the right to play the way you want.”
That felt more aimed at Nkunku than Colwill, given the manager made comments to the same effect the last time Nkunku came back from injury, but rather disappointed in his performances and was ultimately dropped.
Either way, given we literally could not have a more threadbare bench, it will be a massive relief to have any senior player back, especially two as good as those two. Other players with minor issues can’t be far away either.
Playing through pain is not something Pochettino requires
It also riled up the manager the implication that he had used some of these players while injured this season.
“Not one player played with pain. No. Never,” he insisted angrily.
Clearly he’s offended that his “coaching honour” has been questioned by the recent claims his training methods and selections are responsible for the endless injury crisis at the club. And we can well understand why. It makes him sound irresponsible.
His response to earlier questions in the week about Romeo Lavia was equally strong. And tonight he’s got a big win to provide him some weight when shutting these things down.