Spurs head coach reveals how Lo Celso coped physically with 90 minute match

Tottenham Hotspur signed Giovani Lo Celso on loan from Real Betis at the start of the season, but it has been a fairly stop-start beginning for him in North London.

Before he could build up his fitness under Mauricio Pochettino, the Argentine was hit with a hip injury sustained on duty for his international side (TransferMarkt).

He then finally returned and seemed to be earning a spot in the starting line-up after back-to-back positive performances against Red Star Belgrade and Sheffield United.

However, Pochettino was then sacked and Lo Celso had to prove himself to a whole new manager, with Mourinho benching him for four of the first six games. Even in the remaining two, he only played a combined seven minutes.

Over the past five matches in all competitions, Lo Celso has gradually been given more game time and he completed his first 90 minutes under the Special One last week.

Asked how Lo Celso coped with a full game against Middlesbrough, Mourinho said (Football London): “Yeah, he was [tired], 90 minutes incredible work. Raising his levels in terms of intensity of the game and work with and without the ball. Incredible. Amazing kid. Quiet. Waiting for his opportunities. Opportunities are coming step by step. I am very, very happy with him.

“But yesterday he was tired and that is normal, but I cannot give him a rest. He has to be ready for tomorrow. In this moment to make selection for the squad for every match has been very easy because we have these numbers available.”

Keep up to date with all the latest Tottenham news and opinion by following SpursWeb’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Related Topics

Have something to tell us about this article? Let us know