Pochettino rules out big changes at Tottenham in January

LONDON: Mauricio Pochettino does not want to make major changes at Tottenham in the January transfer window despite a poor start to his sixth season in charge.

Spurs have won just three of their opening 11 games in all competitions, crashing out of the League Cup to fourth-tier Colchester and suffering a humiliating 7-2 defeat at home to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

That has led to suspicions that the current Tottenham squad has grown stale, with little movement in the transfer market in recent years. However, Pochettino retains faith in the players that have helped the club make huge strides over the past five years, reaching the Champions League final in June.

“I don’t believe (there will be any signings),” said Pochettino on Thursday. “I believe in the players that we have. If it is my decision I am going to stick with my players because I know they have the quality. It is only to unlock some situation that is going on in their minds. I know we have the quality to be fighting for the things we expect to fight for.”

Pochettino was dealt a double blow in a 3-0 defeat to Brighton before the international break as captain Hugo Lloris suffered a dislocated elbow that will keep him out for the rest of the year.

Harry Kane will therefore assume the Spurs armband, as he does for England. Pochettino was fulsome in his praise for how Kane handled the racist abuse aimed at England players during Monday’s Euro 2020 qualifier in Bulgaria.

The game in Sofia was stopped twice by the referee, with England eventually winning 6-0.“The way Harry behaved was top,” added Pochettino. “The way he handled the situation on Monday was exemplary, fantastic, he showed calm, followed the rules. We’re so proud of how he behaved. He’s become a natural leader. It’s fantastic news for England and Tottenham.”