Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has revealed the simple reason behind why Nabil Bentaleb is training with the under-21s.
The Algerian midfielder is expected to quit White Hart Lane before the transfer deadline later this month after expressing a desire to leave the club.
In turn, Pochettino has told him to train with the under-21 side as ultimately if he doesn’t figure in his plans moving forward, then there is little reason for him to continue to work alongside the rest of the squad who are committed to helping Spurs achieve success this year.
“He is training with the under-21s. He is not with the first team because he wanted to leave,” Pochettino said, as reported by the Evening Standard.
“If he wanted to leave, he can come and see me, I say, ‘okay you can leave’, and he is waiting to try to find a place away from Tottenham.
“But there is nothing to do. We share the changing room and the restaurants all together, it is not a problem.
“The rule is very clear: if you are not part of my plans, why are you training with us? He understands very well, like any other player.”
It’s a straight-forward and commendable approach from the Argentine tactician, as ultimately the 21-year-old is getting the chance to stay fit ahead of a possible move elsewhere, while simultaneously he’s being prevented from potentially having a negative impact on the first-team with his lack of commitment in the long-term.
Whether or not he gets his move away remains to be seen, as if he stays beyond the deadline, then perhaps the two parties will sit down for further discussions to sort out his future.