Mauricio Pochettino has shared that Lucas Moura must show that he is better than Tottenham’s other options in order to play.
The Spurs manager spoke about the Brazilian winger ahead of his side’s FA Cup clash with Newport County on Wednesday.
“For him (Moura), he’s not going to come here and say, ‘oh because he is Lucas Moura and came from Paris St Germain, he’s going to play,” said Pochettino, as quoted by Sky Sports.
“He needs to show that he is better than our players, that is the fair competition.
“If you are in Paris Saint-Germain and Neymar arrives, if he is better than you then he plays, it’s fair, he’s better.
“If not, then they need to compete. Lucas Moura must compete with Lamela, with Sonny, with Eriksen.”
Moura is ineligible to play in Wednesday’s game against Newport Country as he was not registered for Tottenham’s first meeting with the League Two side that ended 1-1.
The 25-year-old joined Spurs for £25million from Paris St Germain on transfer deadline day, according to the BBC, after the winger only played six games for the French giants this season.
OPINION
Pochettino has never picked his team on who has the biggest name and that why he’s ended up playing young talents such as Harry Winks during his time at Tottenham. The Argentinian manager expects every player to perform to the best of their ability, and will not hesitate to keep Moura on the bench if he doesn’t prove himself. Spurs may have spent £25million on him but that won’t stop Pochettino picking the team he believes is most likely to get him a result. Pochettino’s update must be music to Lamela’s ears as it shows that he still could be regular in the team despite his club spending £25million to sign a player similar to himself.