Pochettino finally explains the Dembele Tottenham mystery

Wed 17 May 2017 14:15, UK

By Matt Farr

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has finally offered an explanation as to the mystery regarding Mousa Dembele’s fitness.

The 29-year-old midfielder has been a regular feature of the first-team squad under Pochettino this season, but has rarely completed a full 90 minutes.

He has made 37 appearances in all competitions this season, contributing one goal and two assists, but he has completed the full 90 minutes on just nine occasions.

The Belgian international has started on the bench in each of Tottenham’s last three Premier League outings, but fans, who have been shocked at his recent absence, have finally been offered an explanation as to why.

As quoted by ESPN’s Tottenham correspondent Dan Kilpatrick on his personal Twitter account on Wednesday, Pochettino revealed that Dembele has been ‘playing through the pain barrier’, and is being careful over his role.

#thfc Poch says Dembele (foot) is playing through the pain barrier, can't play 90mins. "He is careful to stay available & we appreciate it."
— Dan Kilpatrick (@Dan_KP) May 17, 2017

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Fans will still be concerned over the fitness of one of their star assets, but they will at least feel more at ease having been made aware he is being omitted from the line-up as a precaution rather than by Pochettino’s free will.