OPINION
The international break is always a nervy one for clubs sides as they cross their fingers over their top stars returning without a scratch, and with so many senior aces out on national duty that is very much the case at Tottenham.
From the many English talents strutting their stuff with the Three Lions to newly called up Argentine duo Paulo Gazzaniga and Juan Foyth, manager Mauricio Pochettino has plenty to worry about during the two week gap, at a time when the training ground in north London will be a very quiet place indeed.
Of course Pochettino will have an expectation that the players’ national sides take care of their players while away from the club – which is why a confirmed u-turn over midfield maestro Christian Eriksen will have him tearing his hair out.
The Daily Mail claim that Denmark were expected to give the attacker a rest for their match against the Republic of Ireland on Monday after his injury problems this season, the Nations League clash with nothing riding on it.
However, Danish boss Age Hareide has confirmed that there has been a u-turn over their plans for the Spurs man, stating to the Daily Mail: “‘Christian will play from the start tomorrow. The intention is that he’s going to play. In this case, we have to sort of nurse him as much as possible.”
The question that Pochettino will have for his managerial counterpart – with the Tottenham boss likely fuming at the thought of his star man coming back less than 100 per cent fit – will be if you admit you have to nurse him through the game, why take the gamble at all?
It is a bizarre decision and one which could so easily come back to bite Tottenham.
You can be certain Pochettino will have been on the phone asking why they feel the need to play him in a dead rubber of a game – whether he gets an answer that satisfies him is another matter entirely.