When Danny Rose was omitted from Tottenham’s squad for their 2-0 defeat to Arsenal, many of the Spurs faithful assumed the worst once again.
Following Rose’s explosive interview with The Sun last summer, in which he slammed the club’s transfer policy and admitted he wanted a move back up north, Spurs fans were quick to call for the left-back to leave the club.
A move away never materialised, and Rose has slowly made his way back into the fold at Spurs after his return from a long-term ankle injury.
After his exclusion from the squad against Arsenal, many automatically assumed it was down to the rumoured renewed interest from Manchester United, and that Rose’s head had been turned once again.
Mauricio Pochettino was however quick to dismiss any suggestions of a problem with the player after the game. Speaking to Sky Sports’ Premier League channel in the immediate aftermath of the game, he said: “It was a technical decision and after 10 months out – like [Erik] Lamela – they need to build their fitness.
When asked if there was a problem with Rose, he replied: “Problem? About? No! It’s boring to talk today about a player that is not here, or a situation that is not an issue.”
While Pochettino seems insistent that there is nothing sinister behind the decision to leave Rose at home, it would be a surprising decision to leave out a player who has already proved his fitness upon his return.
The left-sided dazzler had played 81 minutes in Spurs 3-2 loss to West Ham in the Carabao Cup, and then completed the full 90 minutes in their 1-0 win over Crystal Palace.
He also came through 71 minutes of England’s 0-0 draw with Germany, and this would seemingly confirm the players’ return to full fitness.
Pochettino is however insistent that Rose is still working his way back, and left him out as a ‘technical decision.’
Whatever the truth of it is, Pochettino and Spurs are better off without Rose at the club.
If Rose has indeed been tapped up by United, or any other club, then Spurs should get rid of a player who has been nothing but unfaithful to a manager that has transformed him from average to brilliant.
If Rose is, as Pochettino claims, still working his way back to fitness, and his omission was a ‘technical decision’, then Spurs still need to sell Rose.
Spurs fans’ reaction to the news tells you all you need to know about the damage that Rose did over the summer.
There are very few at the club who will ever trust him again. His every move and every word are now scrutinised so heavily, and it feels as though the fans were just waiting for today’s news to pounce on Rose once again.
His summer interview has wrecked his relationship with the club, even though he still remains a Spurs player, and everyone will be better off with Rose gone from North London.
The fans demand players who want to play for the club. Pochettino demands the same, and loyalty to his cause.
Rose seemingly demands more money and a chance of success elsewhere. His desire to move away will not have magically disappeared in the few months since he made them known.
There is nothing to gain from keeping him at Spurs.
Ben Davies has matured into a more-than-able replacement, and Spurs have Kyle Walker-Peters who is hungry to impress at left or right-back.
If the United rumours are true, why not bring in Luke Shaw in a swap deal? The former Southampton man was once touted as England’s best young player, and if there is anyone to bring him back to form it is Pochettino.
Whatever the deal decided upon, Rose must be sold in the January window.
Even if, by some miracle, he now wants to stay at the club, his presence has been poisoned by his actions in the summer.
And Spurs must get rid of him before the poison spreads further.