Are Tottenham reaching Mauricio Pochettino breaking point predicted by Guillem Balague?

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Mauricio Pochettino’s relentless intensity will eventually spell the end of his time at Tottenham Hotspur.

That was the prediction less than a year ago of journalist Guillem Balague who was the ghost writer for the Tottenham manager’s book Brave New World: Inside Pochettino’s Spurs.

Tottenham have been transformed into Champions League regulars under the Argentine.

With Tottenham’s relative – albeit trophyless – success has come the inevitable speculation over the future of Pochettino.

Talk of interest from the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid has had Spurs fans understandably concerned in recent times.

The majority of supporters feel certain Pochettino is in it for the long haul.

But a distinct lack of transfer business during the summer raised more questions than answers.

This season Tottenham have not been at their brilliant best which was evident in a turgid performance against Cardiff City on Saturday.

The indifferent form comes against a backdrop of stadium issues, lots of empty seats at Wembley, concern over lack of spending and perhaps most pertinently players breaking rank to complain about the intensity of training (Daily Mail).

According to the Mail, a number of Tottenham players have privately expressed concerns that Pochettino’s energy-sapping training sessions have contributed to the club’s lengthy injury list.

However club sources claim the manager is unwilling to reduce the intensity of training.

While some supporters will simply see the story as negative newspaper tittle tattle, it is a cause for genuine concern judging by Balague’s prediction from less than a year ago.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ The Debate last September, Balague suggested the huge emotional investment the Argentine puts into his work each day would eventually take its toll on players.

“The things that annoys everybody at Spurs is that after a good performance the headlines is like ‘Harry Kane will he now go to Madrid, or Pochettino will he now go’,” Balague said on The Debate.

“They are giving absolutely everything to this, him and Jesus and Mickey and Tony of course and everybody involved.

“With that at the end of the day they go (sits back, closes eyes and puffs out his cheeks) ‘Yes we’ve given it everything’ and they give that everyday to build success.

“I’m sure at some point it will be like you’re seeing with (Diego) Simeone and Atletico Madrid, it’s like ‘Oh God another year of Simeone (and that intensity)’ for the players just not being able to give any more, it may happen absolutely (with Pochettino at Spurs) and the other way around as well because he’s investing so much emotionally Pochettino, endless, that he may be tired at some point.”