Guardian: This is why Pochettino has been bigging up Pau Lopez so much at Tottenham

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Published on:

29 Apr 2017, 11:00 am

By Harry Sykes

Mauricio Pochettino talks up the credentials of Tottenham fringe players such as Pau Lopez as part of a key psychological ploy, according to a report.

The Guardian claim that the Spurs manager has total confidence in his squad and is loathe to complain about injuries, even to his star men.

It is said that Pochettino bigs up even those players who are unlikely to play very often to ensure they are ready to perform if and when needed.

Two examples stated by the Guardian are reserve goalkeepers Vorm, 33, and Lopez, 22, who have both had to play second fiddle this season to club captain and main man Hugo Lloris.

Vorm has made 11 appearances as Lloris' understudy, while Lopez, who is on a season-long loan from Pochettino's former club Espanyol, has yet to make a senior appearance for Tottenham.

"Pochettino puts the good vibrations into his players," the Guardian reports. "Why does he talk up the credentials of the back-up goalkeepers, Michel Vorm and Pau López, even though they cannot expect to displace the first-choice, Hugo Lloris?

"Because they need to feel the positive energy. When they are required – Vorm, in particular – they cannot flick a switch and perform. They have to be primed; a part of the collective chemistry; a member of the family."

Lopez joined Spurs on a loan-to-buy deal that could be made permanent if Tottenham trigger the option in the contract to sign him for £6million.

The Spaniard is yet to play for Spurs but has been on the substitute's bench for the team's last five matches due to an injury to Vorm.

In other Tottenham team news, the club have sensationally terminated the contract of one of their defenders.

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