Juan Foyth's first-ever goal for Tottenham gave his side a deserved 1-0 at Selhurst Park against a listless Crystal Palace
Juan Foyth's first-ever goal for Tottenham gave his side a deserved 1-0 at Selhurst Park against a listless Crystal Palace
Juan Foyth's first-ever goal for Tottenham gave his side a deserved 1-0 at Selhurst Park against a listless Crystal Palace
English Premier League: Juan Foyth (63') Crystal Palace 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Mauricio Pochettino hailed Juan Foyth's mental strength after his winning goal at Crystal Palace and stated that his young countryman has the potential to be one of the best centre-backs in Europe.
The 20-year-old conceded two penalties on his Premier League debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers last Saturday. But, one week on, he was the hero at Selhurst Park as his second-half header secured a 1-0 victory.
"Today he showed great personality and he played so well, like one week ago," said Pochettino. "I'm happy for him because it's a massive victory and for him to feel that he's a Premier League player and help the team to win, I think it's a massive feeling.
"Now, waiting to share the international break with the national team in Argentina, it's a fantastic moment for him.
"Of course he was very disappointed [last week] because he felt responsible, but that's our job -- the coaching staff and the people around. We have experience in this type of situation, we were players.
"With experience he's going to improve and not make mistakes -- or less mistakes. But that happens with 30-year-olds or 20-year-olds.
"That was the problem -- it was his debut, his first game in the Premier League, and that situation is difficult to accept, but he's so clever. He moved on the day after and of course we all helped for him to forget it and compete freely like today.
"He's intelligent, smart. He's so mature. I think he's a player who, for me, has all the potential with experience of games to one day be one of the best centre-backs in Europe."
Pochettino lost Kieran Trippier to a groin injury in the first half at Palace, and Erik Lamela then had to be withdrawn after suffering a cut to the head.
"[With Kieran] I hope it's not a big issue," said Pochettino. "We don't know [if he can go away with England]. The doctors and medical staff will assess him and then the medical staff of England, and they will see if he's going to be involved or not. "[With Erik], he has some stitches above the eye."
Pochettino, chairman Daniel Levy and members of Spurs' staff visited the club's new stadium this week and the manager was hugely impressed.
"We were stunned," he said. "You expect that you are going to find a good, nice stadium but when I saw the stadium it's like 'wow.'
"Your face, it's difficult to [describe] because it's beautiful, amazing. I think it will be an amazing place to enjoy football for our players and fans.
"I'm a little bit jealous of our players because to play and be in a changing room like this or be in a place like this is amazing, massive.
"I would like to be 20 and be a player that Tottenham offer a contract to because it will be amazing. Again I say to our fans 'patience' because it's going to be the best stadium in Europe."
Source: espn.co.uk