Pochettino unlikely to pick Alderweireld as defender nears exit door

Mauricio Pochettino has said he will not select Toby Alderweireld just to help him secure a place in Belgium’s World Cup squad.

Alderweireld, whose negotiations over a new contract have reportedly stalled, has featured just twice for us in 2018 due to injury and of course the form of Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez.

Roberto Martinez warned the defender he needs regular minutes if he is going to earn a starting place in Russia, however speaking at his press conference Pochettino said he will not let that affect his selection process.

“I have an amazing relationship with Roberto,”:he said. “I understand his comment, like all the managers.

He added: “If I am the Belgium manager, England manager or Argentina manager, I want all my players to play.But my focus is to manage Tottenham and win games with Tottenham. I cannot be kind with every single manager.Ineed to care for my club and I can only pick 11 players and we have plenty of international players.

Pochettino added: “I can only pick 11 on Sunday [at Chelsea] and if I pick one, another needs to stay on the bench or out of the squad.

“Toby in the last four months has struggled with his injury. I am not going to change the system because Toby needs games for the World Cup.I need to pick two centre-backs and if you are happy you keep the couple of players and he needs to wait.

He went on to say: “The interest for me is Tottenham, it’s about Tottenham to win. I understand the [Belgium] manager but what can I do?”

Though he has not shut the door completely on the centre-back as we go for Champions League qualification and the FA Cup in the final few weeks of the season, he has suggested Alderweireld is well behind Vertonghen and Sanchez in the pecking order, and he is unlikely to be considered when we visit Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

It’s looking increasingly likely that Toby’s time at Spurs is reaching its conclusion. A shame really. What are your thoughts, is Pochettino doing the right thing by sticking with Sanchez and his formation? Let us know below

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