Mauricio Pochettino insists playing at Wembley remains a “gift” despite Tottenham’s prolonged stay at the national stadium.
Spurs full-back Danny Rose this week voiced his frustration at the club’s extended tenure at the national stadium as they wait for their new ground to be ready.[phone]
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Many Tottenham fans seem to agree, with just 33,012 turning up to watch the midweek win over Southampton.
But Pochettino has launched a passionate defence of Tottenham’s temporary home.
“I’m not going to create a debate with (Rose) or other players, everyone is entitled to give their opinion,” he said.
“If you ask me, I am so, so happy to play at Wembley. I was born in Argentina, when I heard about England for the first time it was with all the problems in the Falklands.
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“Then when I arrived in Europe, when I played in the World Cup against England, when we arrived in Southampton six years ago, of course I changed completely my mind in the way I saw and now see this country.
“When you love football like we do, always you hear about Wembley. It was always a dream to play at Wembley.
“I played there in 2000 with the national team at the old Wembley and it was a dream come true. Now every week or two to have the possibility to play at Wembley is a gift.
“For me it’s about enjoying every day, going down the North Circular I think it is, when I look at the arch I say ‘thank you’ because every game I play at Wembley is a gift.
“We say ‘one game more, how lucky we are’. For me, it’s the best place in the world to play football.
“Of course after we’ll share that with our new stadium – they’re going to be the two best places to play, our new stadium White Hart Lane, and Wembley.
“Of course the disappointment of our fans and players I understand but for me I take it as very positive to play there. For me it’s a gift that I want to enjoy every time I’m there.”
Kieran Trippier will miss Saturday’s trip to Leicester after aggravating a groin problem which forced him off against Southampton.
The England full-back suffered the injury during the World Cup semi-final, but still played in the third-fourth place play-off a few days later.
Pochettino will take no such risks, saying: “For me a player that asked to come off the pitch, it’s common sense that after three days it’s impossible to play because, if not, there’s something wrong in that situation.”
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