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London (AFP) – Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino is planning to further strengthen his squad during the remaining weeks of the transfer window and expects Christian Eriksen to commit his long-term future to the club.
Pochettino is attempting to bring together a group of players capable of coping with the demands of playing in the Champions League and improving on last season’s third-place finish.
Saturday’s visit of Crystal Palace to White Hart Lane presents Pochettino’s side with the opportunity to get their campaign up and running following the opening day 1-1 draw at Everton.
The Argentinian admits there is still business to be done, although he insists that does not include the possible exit of Juventus target Eriksen.
The 24-year-old Danish international playmaker has two years left on his current contract and Pochettino sees the player as someone he intends to build his side around.
“He is very happy here and we are happy with him and we will see what happens in the next few weeks,” Pochettino said.
“He has two more years on his contract and it is only a question of time before he agrees a new contract.”
Midfielder Nabil Bentaleb’s future is far less certain with Pochettino admitting he would be willing to allow the Algerian to leave.
He insists Clinton N’Jie remains part of his plans despite suggestions he could be used as part of a deal to bring in Marseille’s Georges-Kevin N’Koudou.
“Bentaleb is not in my plans but Clinton is in the squad and is at the club,” said Pochettino.
“I am very happy with the summer. I know this is difficult in this crazy business that today is football.
“We have our philosophy and we follow our way and I think that makes us different to the other clubs.
“We will try to to bring more players in. We hope to sign one, two or three players – or maybe no-one. It depends on many things that will happen. We will try to find some players to sign.”
Hugo Lloris, the Spurs keeper and captain, will be missing from the line-up after picking up a hamstring injury at Everton that is set to keep the France international out for four weeks.
“It’s always difficult when your captain is not on the pitch. It will always be difficult but we trust in Michel (Vorm, the second-choice goalkeeper) and I think he was doing well in the pre-season.
“He played a lot of friendly games, he is ready to compete. He is a goalkeeper who has a lot of experience in the Premier League and in internationals. There is no doubt about his quality.”
Crystal Palace will cross London after a difficult opening week that began with a 1-0 home defeat to West Bromwich Albion and continued with the £25 million ($ 32.9m) departure of Yannick Bolasie to Everton.
West Brom’s victory confirmed the goalscoring problems that haunted Alan Pardew’s men during the second half of last season and the Palace manager was left frustrated this week when a move for Liverpool striker Christian Benteke was rejected.
Connor Wickham is Pardew’s only fit forward and the former Newcastle United manager is keen to bring in another two strikers with Chelsea’s Loic Remy top of his list.
A loan move for the France international looks increasingly likely and having seen his side struggle to break down West Brom, Pardew will hope to arrange a deal before the visit to Spurs.
Pardew may also step up his attempt to bring in an extra midfielder following the departure of former captain Mile Jedinak to Aston Villa this week.
The post Tottenham’s Pochettino looks to build round playmaker Eriksen appeared first on World Soccer Talk.
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