How many of you can remember a couple of seasons back when academy starlet Alex Pritchard was one of the best players in the Championship? The player looked a class above everyone in the division as he starred playing behind the striker in the #10 role and also playing wide left or right for Brentford in their very nearly promotion season.
Pochettino praised the player highly, arranged a new deal for him but then the following season he picked up an injury and by the following summer was sold to Norwich. If not for that injury what might have been for the young player; however what is clear from this situation is Pochettino looks at every aspect of you as a player and as a person and how you react to injury and/or how you react to a new contract is key in how he rates you and your future at the club.
The Argentinian cut Pritchard from his plans as he felt he didnt work hard enough to recover and felt he’took his foot off’ after earning a new deal. Something all academy players at the club need to learn from.
Many joked last season seeing the high number of pictures showing the manager posing with players and even more jokes when the same player signed more than one deal in a season however this illustrates the way Pochettino works especially with younger players.
He asks them to meet standards and work towards goals and when he deems they have hit them he rewards them with new deals and all of the players have seen this now and know what they need to do.
However players are also all to aware if they do not hit these targets or react poorly to getting a new deal they will find themselves on the way out. Just yesterday it was revealed that 8 academy players who Pochettino worked with personally last season are to be allowed to leave either on loan or permanent deals.
The young players at Tottenham must show work ethic and desire and stay focused. Pochettino and his coaching team are looking to develop first team footballers and there is no room for sentiment. Anyone not seen to be taking the opportunities given are soon moved on.
