Mauricio Pochettino has told Toby Alderweireld he must get fitter before he can be considered for Tottenham’s big games.
Alderweireld returned after more than three months out in the FA Cup fourth round replay against Newport last week but was omitted against Arsenal and has not travelled to Italy to face Juventus.
‘He is 28 and he suffered a massive injury,’ said Pochettino. ‘We needed to be cautious because we cannot put at risk his career.
Mauricio Pochettino tells Toby Alderweireld he must get fitter to be considered for big games
‘We designed a plan from day one to provide him the best route to recovery, and be stronger than before.
‘In our judgment he needs to build his fitness strongly. He needs to work hard. To play these type of tough games you need to be 200 per cent. It’s not the same as training.’
Pochettino and his assistant Jesus Perez spent two hours discussing the matter in meetings with Alderweireld last week and appreciates the Belgian is not happy to miss the biggest game of Tottenham’s season.
The Tottenham boss has omitted the defender from the squad that traveled to Italy
The 28-year-old also missed Spurs’ 1-0 win against arch-rivals Arsenal on Saturday afternoon
‘We understand the player was working hard to play the Champions League,’ said the Spurs boss. ‘It is exciting to have the possibility to play and the player feels they are fit to play, but it is our responsibility, together with the medial department, to take the best decision.
‘It is easy to put the player in to play and then if something wrong happens, the responsibility is with us, and then the player is at risk. With this type of injury be careful.
‘Look at different players that had setbacks, like [Ross] Barkley. Because he is not 20 years old, he is 28, 29 and my responsibility is to put him at his best.
‘Football is about risk but not if we start to feel that he is not in a position to cope with the demands of this type of game, like Champions League or Arsenal or Liverpool. That is the situation and the reality.’
Alderweireld returned after more than three months out with hamstring injury in the FA Cup
Alderweireld’s contract stand-off adds another dimension to his omission.
He has thus far resisted Tottenham’s attempts to tie him down to a new deal with his current deal set to expire at the end of next season.
There is an additional one-year option written in but it also includes a buy-out clause which states Alderweireld can be sold for £25million.
He would fetch far more on the open market.
Virgil van Dijk, aged 26, cost £75m when moving from Southampton to Liverpool last month.
Virgil van Dijk, aged 26, cost £75m when moving from Southampton to Liverpool last month