Fernando Llorente did not feature for Tottenham Hotspur against Crystal Palace in the Premier League at the weekend.
Fernando Llorente is the back-up striker to Harry Kane at Tottenham Hotspur, but the Spain international was left out of their matchday squad against Crystal Palace at the weekend.
Speaking after the 1-0 victory at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Sunday, manager Mauricio Pochettino told Football.London when asked if Llorente was left out for tactical reasons: “No, no, no, it was a decision that we have nearly all fit. It wasn’t a tactical decision but to pick the right balance in the squad.
“Fernando, Kyle Walker-Peters, Harry Winks. They are fully fit, but we only have seven places on the bench and we can’t put them all.”
Unconvincing argument
Pochettino’s explanation about keeping Llorente out of the matchday squad against Palace is unconvincing.
True, it is hard to find a place on the substitutes’ bench for all the players, but surely the Argentine boss could have found a spot for his second striker.
After all, what if Kane had got injured or Palace had gone 2-0 up? Wouldn’t it have then helped to bring on Llorente, a striker?
This is not the first time that Llorente has failed to make the matchday squad at Spurs this season despite being fully fit; the former Athletic Bilbao striker missed the game against Juventus in the Champions League in Italy as well.
Maybe due to Llorente’s poor performances so far this season, Pochettino does not think that he is good enough for a place on the bench.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
