“I think there were a lot of positives and I’m very happy with the performance”. But the short turnaround from playing in Azerbaijan on Thursday night to competing in a London derby at midday on Sunday is, manager Mauricio Pochettino has conceded, hardly ideal preparation.
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With Chelsea out of the picture and the Premier League revelling in its most unpredictable form for a considerable while, Leicester City sit top if any evidence was needed, Spurs have the flawless opportunity to join Europe’s elite once again. So should he pick his best side or rest key players for the grudge match with Chelsea?
Pochettino sprang a surprise by picking Kane in a strong starting line-up against Qarabag, despite facing Chelsea less than 72 hours later. The Blues have showed that they’re not far from their best and we could see the “real Chelsea” for the first time this season.
“I feel we have enough quality and a strong squad”, said Pochettino.
The answer comes down to a couple very talented players – chief among them midfield tyro Richard Almeida – and a superb level of organization. And, with just three points between us and Qarabag at the top and bottom of the table respectively, Group J remains tight and qualification is by no means secure yet. Every player has his price, but if Kane ever does get sold it’ll be to the continent and not to a Premier League rival, and it’ll be for more money than God.
Basel progressed as Group I winners after they came back from 2-0 down against Fiorentina, managed by the Swiss side’s former boss Paulo Sousa, to draw 2-2.
“If we can do that and if we are consistent then maybe we can achieve positive things”.
Eden Hazard has scored in his last three appearances against Spurs, while Kane hit two in the last encounter between the two teams.
“Always it is hard to speak about another team because when you outside that club you do not know what is going on and it is hard to analyse”.
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Kane and Costa were the two strikers selected by their peers in the PFA team of the season previous year, but they and their clubs now appear to be on very different trajectories, says Richard Jolly of ESPN. His communication and being able to have a laugh with them at the right time – it’s really good for a young player.
