Pochettino on the right track

Trophy may convince manager Mauricio Pochettino that his project at Tottenham is only starting.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino. Picture: AP

In his autobiography, Brave New World, Mauricio Pochettino explains his belief in a concept called “energia universal”: the idea that people, places and things are charged with a hidden energy, positive or negative.

It is remarkable how quickly the energy, and the conversation, around Tottenham Hotspur has changed. Only three months ago, Spurs lost three matches in a row — to Watford, Liverpool and Inter Milan — and Pochettino was having to defend his philosophy. Two months ago, they lost to Manchester City to sit fifth in the Premier League, Pochettino was talking about the “worst feeling” of his tenure, and their Champions League hopes were in tatters after a 4-2 home defeat by Barcelona and a 2-2 draw to PSV Eindhoven.

As the turn of the year approaches, their fortunes could hardly look more different. Alongside their resurrection in the Champions League, they have won five Premier League games in a row, scored 11 goals in their past two games, and overtaken Pep Guardiola’s City, probably the most vaunted defending champions in Premier League history. Only Liverpool, the league leaders, are pervaded by as much positive energy as Tottenham.

Liverpool were widely expected to challenge City this season after strengthening formidably in their leading areas of weakness: goalkeeper and central defence. Tottenham, on the other hand, were not expected to be title contenders, especially after a summer when they made no signings. Yet here they are again, six points off top spot and carrying as much momentum through the season’s hardest period as any side. Outlandish though it may sound, could Tottenham be better equipped for the title, despite not having been strengthened?

After four-and-a-half seasons, Pochettino’s side have been through the sort of highs and lows that galvanise a squad and build belief. His core players have matured, with Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen in their prime at 25 and 26 respectively, and Dele Alli entering his at 22. Each has had to adapt to improve, with Kane taking better shots since his ankle knock last season forced him to be more selective, Alli maturing into a versatile, pressing No 10, and Eriksen evolving from a No 10 to a capable deep-lying playmaker.

The statistics urge caution. Tottenham’s goal difference is 24, with 42 goals scored and 18 conceded, but their expected-goals ledger — a measure of the quality of chances a team create and give up, and thus a better guide to their underlying performance — is 30.27 to 23.75, suggesting they are overperforming at both ends of the pitch.

Statistics never give you the whole picture, though, and the nagging impression persists that there are elements of Tottenham’s armoury that transcend the numbers: Kane’s finishing; the chemistry between Kane, Alli, Eriksen and Son Heung-min; Pochettino’s powers of positivity.

Another source of optimism is the fixture calendar. Tottenham have by far the easiest schedule of the three title contenders over the next few weeks. Five of their next seven league games are at home and they do not face another top-four team until Chelsea on February 27. Liverpool and City, meanwhile, play each other on Thursday. If Tottenham are going to win the title, the next couple of months are probably their best chance to reel in Liverpool and consolidate their lead over City.

There is, of course, another factor: Pochettino’s future. It has been under scrutiny since Jose Mourinho was fired as Manchester United manager 10 days ago and Pochettino emerged as United’s No 1 target. Perhaps it is a coincidence that Tottenham’s results have been outstanding since the possibility of his departure appeared.

Or perhaps, on some subvisible level, Tottenham’s players, who feel that Pochettino’s success is inextricably bound with their own, have found an extra gram of effort.

What of the manager’s own thinking? The Times reported last week that Pochettino is interested in being considered for the United job but, if he is wavering, the past few matches can only have muddied his decision. It has rarely been more apparent how brilliant, resilient and devastatingly high-gear his Tottenham squad are — just what he would be giving up.

And if Tottenham did end their trophy drought this season, would that make Pochettino more likely to stay or go? Only he knows the answer. But rather than seeing a trophy as “rounding off” his tenure, it seems at least as plausible that he could view it, or a concerted title challenge, as validation of his project.

It is possible that Tottenham’s players are not only playing for the Premier League title but also to persuade Pochettino that he is capable of achieving everything he wants at Spurs.

The Times