Tottenham star Toby Alderweireld will return for Wednesday’s Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has told ESPN that he doesn’t know of any release clauses in the contracts of players amid rumours surrounding the returning Toby Alderweireld.
Spurs have little time to celebrate Saturday’s superb 5-0 win over Swansea City as they’re back in action on Wednesday evening, taking on CSKA Moscow in their final Champions League group stage game.
It’s been a dismal Champions League campaign for Spurs, as they’ve claimed just one victory, and were knocked out of the competition with a 2-1 defeat at Monaco last time out.
Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld down after sustaining an injury against West Brom
On Wednesday, Spurs can book their place in the Europa League by avoiding defeat against Russian outfit CSKA Moscow – and they should receive a boost in the form of Toby Alderweireld’s return.
The 27-year-old centre back has been ruled out since suffering a knee injury against West Bromwich Albion in mid-October, but looks set to return against CSKA.
Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld celebrates
Manager Mauricio Pochettino has told the Daily Mail that Alderweireld may be on the bench against CSKA, and a decision will then be taken on whether to start him in this weekend’s huge clash with Manchester United.
“Toby will be involved in the squad, maybe will be on the bench,” said Pochettino. “He’s recovering well and it’s important for him to be involved, it’s important for him to recover that feeling.”
“Then, if we decide if he will be in the starting 11 or on the bench against Manchester United. It’s about how we assess him. He is one of the best central defenders in the Premier League,’ ‘He showed last season his quality,” he added.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
Alderweireld’s return comes just 24 hours after a shock report emerged about his future. Belgian newspaper Le Soir reported that Alderweireld, a 2015 arrival from Atletico Madrid, had a €30m (£25m) release clause in his contract, meaning Spurs were powerless to keep him if a club offered that amount.
Now, Pochettino has commented on the situation, telling ESPN that he isn’t aware of any release clauses in contracts at White Hart Lane, and hinted that there could be some news regarding a contract extension for the Belgian international star.
“I don’t know the contract details but I don’t think a player in England has a release clause in their contract. After four years here, I’ve never heard that,” said Pochettino. “You need to wait. It is a private matter,” he added when asked about a new contract for Alderweireld.
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