Mauricio Pochettino bans Tottenham players from attending PFA Awards dinner
Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino has banned his players from attending the PFA (Professional Footballers’ Association) awards ceremony this Sunday night as they play a Premier League game the next day. Tottenham play West Bromwich Albion on Monday night at White Hart Lane.
As many as four players were to attend the gala that is to be held at the Grosvenor House hotel in London. Harry Kane has been nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award while 20-year-old midfielder Dele Alli has been nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
Kane and Alli were also voted into the PFA Team of the Year for the 2015/16 season alongside defender Toby Alderweireld and full-back Danny Rose.
But with only four matches to play in the season and with the Spurs five points behind table-toppers Leicester City, Pochettino is not taking any chances. Spurs will keep one eye on Leicester’s game as well as they host Swansea City on Sunday.
When Pochettino was asked at the press conference where the Spurs players would be on Sunday, the Argentine manager repeatedly said, “At home. At home!
“But this is normal and all people can understand. It’s a shame, but we play Monday.”
“It’s true that the players would like to go,” he continued.
“But I think the responsibility when you have a big game for us like West Brom on Monday, you need to stay at home, rest and focus on the game.
“After the game on Monday, we have time for a party or to congratulate the players. For everything!”
Vardy’s suspension make a big impact for Foxes: Pochettino
When asked about the possibility of Leicester struggling without Jamie Vardy, who has also been nominated for the Player of the Year award, Pochettino admitted it may hurt the Foxes but that they had enough players to take his place.
“I think that it’s a big impact for Leicester because Vardy is one of the best players in the Premier League,” Pochettino explained.
“Sure, it’s a big impact for them. I think Leicester have very good players and are in a position that they deserve to be in, nobody gave them nothing for nothing.
“But he’s one of the best strikers in the Premier League. They will feel that, but I’m sure they have different players that can play the same way.”