Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli dived at the weekend but Pochettino has defended the star.
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli found himself in hot water at the weekend. He appeared to dive in order to win a penalty against Swansea City at White Hart Lane – in a game that Spurs went on to win 5-0.
It saw him criticised heavily by pundits and rival fans who were not pleased with his theatrics. A lot of the comments suggested that this was something foreign players might do, but not English lads.
But Mauricio Pochettino was having none of it. The Argentine supported his young midfielder by highlighting a personal experience with a diving Englishman. He was the defender when Michael Owen fell in the box during the 2002 World Cup. David Beckham scored the penalty to defeat Argentina at the Group Stages.
Argentina’s Mauricio Pochettino (L), as Walter Samuel (2nd R) and Michael Owen challenge
He was quoted about this at the weekend by The Guardian:
“It was 15 years or so ago when Owen dived.
“Don’t believe that English football is always fair play because Owen jumped like [he was] in a swimming pool. Come on. I didn’t touch him. I promise you. It’s true.”
There is no doubt that Owen could have stayed up on that occasion and Tottenham fans will know that Alli could have done so as well.
But in the modern game of football, like it or not, winning a penalty or tricking the referee has become something of a skill.
Pochettino needs no reminding and Alli is unlikely to be reprimanded by his gaffer.
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