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Spurs’ Pochettino Impressed with England’s National Team

By Alexander Balano

ENFIELD, ENGLAND - MARCH 03: Head Coach of Tottenham Hotspur Mauricio Pochettino speaks to the media during a press conference at the Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on March 3, 2016 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images).
ENFIELD, ENGLAND - MARCH 03: Head Coach of Tottenham Hotspur Mauricio Pochettino speaks to the media during a press conference at the Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on March 3, 2016 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images). /
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Despite being Argentinian, Spurs’ manager, Mauricio Pochettino, sees himself as a fan of the England national team and is even impressed by them.

Although Mauricio Pochettino is Argentinian and will always root for his own country, he has been impressed with England’s national team. And for good reason too. A majority of his players happen to be English, so it’s no surprise that he’s keeping close tabs on the Three Lions while also being a fan from a distance during international games.

In the latest international break that just wrapped up this week, England manager, Roy Hodgson, called up five Spurs players: Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Harry Kane, Danny Rose and Kyle Walker when they played against reigning and defending 2014 World Cup champions, Germany, and third-place finishers, Netherlands.

Related Story: Spurs' Harry Kane Disappointed After England Lose

All five players would eventually play against the Netherlands in a 2-1 loss, with Kyle Walker going the full 90 minutes after being an unused substitute at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany after England came back from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 last Saturday.

Now, while England lost on Tuesday, March, 29 to the Dutch, the defeat didn’t phase Spurs’ manager.

Instead, he simply praised the national team and how his relationship with Roy Hodgson has been beneficial for him with his players being selected. While also congratulating players he used to coach, among others he probably admires as well.

“I am happy because we have a good relationship with Roy Hodgson and all the coaches,” Pochettino said (quotes via Sky Sports).

“We have a very good relationship with a lot of players – not only the Tottenham ones – and I think you start to create this empathy with the national team when you arrive in the country you work in.”

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 13: Mauricio Pochettino manager of Tottenham Hotspur and Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur shake hands after victory in the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park on March 13, 2016 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – MARCH 13: Mauricio Pochettino manager of Tottenham Hotspur and Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur shake hands after victory in the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park on March 13, 2016 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /

Again, while this past week showcased two international friendlies, and the results themselves don’t mean a whole lot. It’s mostly about being prepared for the upcoming Euros this summer in France.

Something that Pochettino pointed out, while singling out England’s current crop of talent this generation that could help propel the Three Lions to success.

“I think they were fantastic in Germany. Holland was a different game and difficult but it was a friendly game to prepare and try find different ways to play at the Euros.”

“Congratulations to the coaching staff. I think the generation of players England has now, they’re in a position where they can achieve big things.”

The praise didn’t stop there of course. There were some more from Mauricio Pochettino, with him talking about the depth at the striker position for England and the amount of choices that Roy Hodgson has at his disposal.

“Harry Kane is one of the best. [Jamie] Vardy, [Danny] Welbeck, [Theo] Walcott, [Wayne] Rooney – there are a lot of players who can play,” Mauricio Pochettino continued.

“This generation for England is fantastic and for me, they are in a position where they can achieve big things in the future. I try to watch like a fan and never try to assess because I think Roy Hodgson has great experience and is a great manager.”

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And now with all national team players returning to their respective clubs to gear up for the return of the Premier League tomorrow, Pochettino is happy to see that they’re all fine (mostly, Toby Alderweireld picked up a stomach flu).

“It was hard for our players because nearly all of them were involved on international duty,” Mauricio Pochettino added.

“I think they enjoyed it and all our players are back at a good level, happy to come back.”

“Today was the first day we had them all back here training and I think that today and tomorrow we will start to prepare for the game at Liverpool and ensure we arrive in a very good condition.”

With Spurs playing on Saturday, they get to close the gap to two points with a win at Anfield against Jürgen Klopp’s side. A daunting task for Pochettino and company, as Tottenham have yet to win in their last four visits (a draw and three straight defeats) after last winning on May 2011.

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To say that Liverpool is a must-win game is an understatement.

At this point, every single game should be played like a cup final, meaning seven cup finals to close the gap on Leicester City and win their first league title in 55 years.

And with the Foxes playing on Sunday, the pressure right now is on Spurs to get the job done or let their title hopes come crashing down with anything but a win. If, Leicester secure three points against Southampton.

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