Moussa Sissoko remains in Tottenham plans despite missing USA tour

Mauricio Pochettino says the absent Moussa Sissoko is part of his plans for the coming season as Tottenham continue their tour of the USA.

Sissoko endured a hugely disappointing debut season at White Hart Lane last term, having cost the club £30million, and his future has been in doubt.

When Spurs announced he was going to miss their pre-season tour of the States due to a virus, there was understandable scepticism.

But Tottenham insist Sissoko has genuinely been ill and that it was decided he should avoid training and playing in the temperatures that the squad have been experiencing in Orlando, Florida in recent days.

Pochettino confirmed that situation on Saturday night, after a 4-2 friendly win over Paris St Germain at the Camping World Stadium, while stating he can see a role for the midfielder in his squad for the coming campaign.

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The Argentinian was asked about Sissoko in Spanish and, after also answering in Spanish, his assistant Jesus Perez translated.

“Basically he explained the situation with Moussa Sissoko and the club,” said Perez. “He’s training at the training ground. He’s in his plans for the season and he is for us a member of the squad.”

For now at least, the only major departure has been Kyle Walker, who has joined Manchester City for £50million.

That has left Pochettino with Kieran Trippier and 20-year-old Kyle Walker-Peters – who won the Under-20 World Cup with England in June but has never made a competitive appearance for Spurs – as his two right-backs.

The Spurs boss gave Walker-Peters a stern test in Orlando on Saturday, fielding him in the first half against PSG in addition to 19-year-old centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers and 20-year-old midfielder Josh Onomah.

Walker-Peters looked culpable for PSG’s second goal – Carter-Vickers was at fault for the first – and Pochettino must decide whether he needs to sign a new right-back or show faith in another academy graduate.

“I think we have a few games and training sessions to judge not only him but different young players,” said Pochettino. “It’s up to them to step up and take the opportunity.

“I’m happy today. Always it’s difficult to play a game like we played today. Always it’s difficult for the younger ones.

“Everybody knows that they are judged and that pressure is difficult, but I think they managed it very well.

“Ok there were maybe some mistakes, but it’s about learning, for the young ones to learn. They are working very hard and only [need] time to try to show they can battle.”

Asked about Carter-Vickers, Pochettino said: “Cameron is so young. He has great quality and great potential.

“He’s a player we believe can reach the level to play in the Premier League. It’s up to him to show he deserves to be in the first team of our club.

“I think there are a lot of positives [from the game], always. It’s important in our first game in our pre-season to try to feel the competition again. It’s early but when you play against these type of teams, like PSG, always it’s important to compete.

“The result is not important, but it’s most important to recover all the feelings from last season.”

Spurs’ players have certainly been working up a sweat in the Florida heat, and Pochettino continued: “It’s true, the conditions are completely different to a few days ago, that we had in the UK.

“But that’s good, to try to play and be strong in your mind, because the conditions here are difficult. You add more stress to your body because it’s so hot.

“It’s good to cross that line and put yourself in that condition. It’s not only about working your body, it’s a good preparation for your mind.

“I want to say thanks to our fans. It’s fantastic to see them here in Orlando. They were fantastic and we’re enjoying it a lot here.”

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