Tottenham’s Pochettino has no right to be upset with Argentina

Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino has no right to be upset with Argentina over Giovani Lo Celso and Juan Foyth being called up to the national side.

I understand why he is aggrieved by his nation’s decision to select both players, but he cannot have it both ways. Foyth and Lo Celso haven’t played much first team football at Spurs this season, but both are healthy again and have no reason to be left out of the national side. Foyth, in particular, has played brilliantly for the national side and was a shoo-in for selection.

Pochettino can’t expect his players, who are looking to progress and advance in their respective careers, to sit idly by on the touch-line, waiting for a chance to showcase their talent. Argentina is offering both players another opportunity to shine on a big stage, which is well within their rights to do.

In his last outing with Argentina, a combative affair against Chile, Lo Celso suffered the hip injury that has kept him out of the lineup for over a month, so, from that perspective, you can understand Pochettino’s annoyance. Lo Celso, other than a cameo against Liverpool last week, hasn’t impacted the Lilywhites like most thought he would after arriving from Real Betis.

This aforementioned hip injury definitely hampered his progress with Tottenham. However, Lo Celso is fighting fit once again, and his presence with Argentina is required. That is the nature of having international-caliber players on your club side. When duty calls, they must answer the bell, even if it’s friendlies we’re talking about.

Both players are making more of an impact for their national side, down to untimely injuries, happenstance and Pochettino’s unwillingness to give the players their fair shake at Tottenham. Lo Celso needs to see more match time, though Tottenham are also responsible for protecting his long-term success and security. So they are, by all intents and purposes, Lo Celso’s guardian. Spurs can ill-afford Lo Celso suffering a recurring injury to his hip, especially at his impressionable age. But, unfortunately, that is not Argentina’s concern.

It’s an impossible position for Pochettino, but he shouldn’t be upset with Lionel Sebastián Scaloni, who is wholly interested in Argentina’s results. And, in his opinion, favourable results might be predicated on having Foyth and Lo Celso in the team.

After both players hopefully return unscathed from friendlies with Uruguay and Brazil, maybe Pochettino will follow suit by giving Foyth and Lo Celso the playing time they need, and deserve.