Tottenham hot shot Alli not going to Real, Barcelona

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has revealed Dele Alli is happy at the club after being asked about rumours linking him to Spanish clubs Barcelona and Real Madrid.

The Argentinian also played down rumours of Tom Carroll leaving the club, the midfielder is heavily linked with a move to struggling Swansea City.

Tottenham face a tough fixture on Saturday as they face Tony Pulis’ West Brom, and Pochettino feels the fixture will be a very difficult game.

The 44-year-old admitted he wants his team to go on a winning run following a big win over London-rivals Chelsea, and that midfielder Eric Lamela is nearing a return to training with his squad.

INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT

West Brom drew with Tottenham in April, how big a challenge do they pose?

“For me the past is the past, I think that is a different season and different circumstances and you know I think this season West Brom is doing a fantastic job. Always it is difficult to play against a team that is managed by Tony Pulis and you know it will be a tough game, will be a difficult game like that all the games that are in the Premier League.”

How important is Dele Alli to the team?

“Dele (Alli) is performing well, scoring a lot of goals and helping the team to achieve our objectives. I think we are talking a lot about him in the last few weeks but I think its fair to talk a lot about him because he’s showing fantastic and great performances every-time he has a chance to play.”

Tom Carroll is linked with a move away from the club, is it true?

“It’s a lot of rumours, you know it is true Tom is not involved too much with the team and we’ll see what happens but today it is only rumours.”

West Brom have been tough opponents against Arsenal and Chelsea, it will be difficult to create chances?

“It will be a difficult game, if you see the games West Brom play against Chelsea or Arsenal they were very well organised and yes we will expect a very tough game and sure that they will make put us in a very difficult situation with no space to play and will difficult to find space to create a lot of chance but we have time to work we’ll see what happens.

“We are focused and we know how we need to play and it is to try and deliver it and try to find that space on the pitch and try to create a lot of chance but in the Premier league it’s always tough to find the space.”

Lots of talk about Dele Alli joining Barcelona or Real Madrid. Would you need to renegotiate his contract?

“I think it’s not a moment now to talk about that. I think he’s happy. We cannot extend every few months a contract and improve the salary. I don’t like to talk about rumours but most important is that he’s happy, he’s natural and he’s performing well. That is the most important.”

Was it a psychological boost to beat a team performing so well (Chelsea)?

“We have in front a very tough game and we need to show that we learn about few months ago. If you remember we drop our performance after a fantastic victory and now after Chelsea it’s a great opportunity to show we deserve and keep the momentum for us will be key.”

What’s the latest with Eric Lamela?

“Every day we have information, we receive all the information. Yes, he’s doing well, but we cannot push too much because it’s about the time he can recover in. Our idea is one week more there (in Rome) and then back to London, to here and try to see which level and try to build his fitness to help the team as soon as possible.”