Mauricio Pochettino reveals what Lucas Moura changed in his game
Lucas Moura did not settle into life easily at Tottenham Hotspur. He was way down the pecking order and it wasn't really working out in London for the Brazilian who had only secured a switch from Paris Saint-Germain last January.
However, owing to the unavailability of Son to national duty and Erik Lamela's injury, Lucas Moura has had to play a part in all 3 of Tottenham's games so far. He took the opportunity by the scruff of its neck and scored a goal against Fulham and followed it up with a brace against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Mauricio Pochettino wasn't very forthcoming with his praise for the player right after the match. However, the mood seems to have lightened even further and now Poch has given us some information regarding how Lucas Moura found his rhythm for the Lilywhites.
Pochettino was asked if he has ever had to talk about the lack of game time with Lucas Moura and he said,
"No, no, no. I didn't have a conversation with him. In the summer, we didn't talk. I am not a person who is going to convince players to stay or not stay. If they want to leave, they want to leave. But it wasn't the case."
"The case was that last season he struggled a lot to adapt himself. All his career was playing on the right. He’s a winger, but this season we tried to adapt him because in different circumstances to adapt him in a position that can bring performances and help the team."
"It’s a new position to play next to Harry [Kane] like a second striker. But I don’t try to convince some players who don’t want to be here. The players that don’t want to stay can leave. I’m not going to convince people to stay who don’t want to."
Pochettino added,
When we sign players, always we explain everything. Always if you are showing us, you are welcome. We expect from you this and this and this. But no pressure to deliver, then it’s up to the play to deliver or not. Our platform is there for everyone.
"Of course, when he arrived from PSG he was a completely different player from today because he was in a different reality.
"It was a different reality from us and, of course, if you don’t improve and change, and don’t work hard, it’s so difficult to fight for a position. Of course for the players who arrive in January, always it’s hard for them to adapt to a new system and everything that is new for them."
It looks like Mauricio Pochettino is very grateful to Lucas Moura.
"He is helping the team in that difficult circumstance with [Heung-Min] Son away. I am very pleased. He has scored three goals and he has helped the team to achieve the victories."
This will surely boost Lucas' confidence.