Mauricio: 'Non-international players have trained so hard'

Mauricio Pochettino has praised the “fantastic attitude” of the players who stayed back and grafted at Hotspur Way during the international break – and says he’s excited at the impending return of Premier League football.

With 15 members of our current first team squad turning out for their respective nations over the last two weeks, the pitches and corridors at our Training Centre haven’t been as crowded as usual.

But, as Mauricio pointed out, fewer numbers hasn’t led to any let-up in hard work.

Erik Lamela, Moussa Sissoko, Fernando Llorente, Juan Foyth and Lucas Moura, plus goalkeepers Michel Vorm and Paulo Gazzaniga, have all spent the last two weeks in training, joined in some instances by selected members of our Under-23 and Under-18 squads.

Injured pair Harry Kane and Harry Winks have also been on the premises continuing their rehabilitation.

With the whole squad now back together, the manager says he’s been impressed by what he’s seen from the players who’ve remained at home since our last outing at Swansea City on 17 March.

“Always it’s difficult for the players that are not involved in the international break but they work fantastically and they’ve trained so hard,” said Mauricio.

“We’ve used young players to help us in the training sessions and I think it was very positive for many reasons.

“They’ve worked so hard to try to keep their level and have had a great attitude and some very good performances.”

On the returning internationals, Mauricio added: “We are assessing the players now. We need to see how they’ve come back and we need to try to put all in the same place. (Today) we can integrate everyone and start to work all together.”

With Sunday’s trip to Chelsea fast approaching, Mauricio says spirits are high in the camp as everyone anticipates getting back into Premier League action.

“It’s always exciting because after two weeks we start to play again,” he said. “Always it’s nice because we love to compete and, of course, it’s a massive game against Chelsea, such an important game.

“I’m happy that all the internationals are back and at a good level and now it’s about putting all at a similar level and to start to work to try to win the game.”