Pochettino admits he’s “not sure” if Eriksen will stay at Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino has admitted he isn’t sure whether Christian Eriksen will leave the club before the end of the European transfer window.

Despite the Premier League’s transfer window closing before the start of the new campaign, European clubs are still able to buy players from all over until the beginning of September, meaning Eriksen’s future remains uncertain.

Will Eriksen leave Spurs? Five things to know…

• • Christian Eriksen joined Tottenham in 2013 from Ajax.
  • He has helped them to two runners-up medals in two competitions, the 2015 League Cup and 2019 Champions League.
  • But the Dane is still awaiting his first trophy at Spurs.
  • He admitted earlier this summer that he was open to moving.
  • Man Utd reportedly ended interest in Eriksen after they believed he had his heart set on Real Madrid.

Following Eriksen’s outstanding display against Aston Villa last weekend after coming on from the bench, the Dane was understandably a hot topic of discussion in Pochettino’s press conference in the build-up to Spurs’ huge game at Manchester City on Saturday.

When asked if Eriksen would remain at Spurs, he said:  “I don’t know.

“My point is to help all the players, to support all the players until they decide with the club to go a different way with their career, and to show respect to all.

“Sometimes it is difficult to understand outside of football or this club that respect means respect.

“I’m happy with the last week with how he’s doing (and) his performance in training. We still have one training session and I’ll decide the starting eleven.

“For me, it’s the same between a player who has one year on his contract and one who has five years. The selection is not for the length of the contract, it is for the performance.”

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Lo Celso must wait

Whilst remaining cryptic regarding Eriksen’s hopes of starting at the Etihad, the Argentinian was less mysterious about his compatriot Giovani Lo Celso.

The midfielder joined Spurs on loan from Real Betis on the final day of the transfer window, but Pochettino still believes the 23-year-old needs more time before being thrust into the limelight.

He said: “We need to assess him.

“A lot of things have happened in his life now. He arrived with no pre-season, of course, he is trying to adapt himself, his physical condition, tactically, settle in a new country in a new philosophy and it is not easy.

“I can tell you he won’t be in the starting XI, but if he is going to be involved or not we need to assess today. We need to see how he is and see the balance on the bench.”