Mauricio Pochettino warns Younes Kaboul: Tottenham captaincy won't guarantee starting place

 
Captain benched: Pochettino has favoured Fazio and Vertonghen in recent weeks
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Tom Collomosse23 December 2014

Mauricio Pochettino has told Younes Kaboul he cannot expect a first-team place simply because he is Tottenham club captain.

Kaboul was chosen as skipper by Pochettino at the start of the campaign but has fallen out of favour in recent weeks, with Jan Vertonghen and Federico Fazio his first-choice pair in central defence.

Kaboul is thought to be disappointed with the situation and it is even possible that the club will listen to offers for him in January. It is quite a reversal of fortunes for the France international but Pochettino warned Kaboul that no player has a right to a spot – even if he is the captain.

“To be captain means you are a leader, but just because you are captain it doesn’t mean you are sure of a place in the starting XI,” said head coach Pochettino. “It’s a football decision. There is no other explanation.

“When you decide to pick the team, you don’t think about who the captain is. It’s my job to pick the players and that will always be my decision.”

If Kaboul is not granted playing time during the Christmas period, the 28-year-old might decide the writing is on the wall and to seek a move in next month’s transfer window. His contract expires at the end of next season.

While Kaboul seems to have been discarded, Pochettino has persevered with record signing Erik Lamela despite inconsistent form. Yet after an excellent performance against Burnley, Pochettino is confident about his compatriot’s prospects.

“We need to be careful with him because he’s still young,” said Pochettino. “I have explained many times here that he’s still young and always that the first season was difficult for him.

“He had injuries, he has not played too much, but this season he has been more consistent. So far we are happy with him, he has been consistent in training and he has the talent and potential to be a great player.

“We need to understand that in his case, when he arrived, there was a lot of pressure on his shoulders. You need more time to show your best form.

“At the start of this season he trained very hard and with the time and consistency that he showed in those sessions, it’s normal that one day you start to show your best qualities.

“He has a lot of potential. All players need to have confidence and to feel good in order to give their best.”

Ryan Mason suffered no serious damage to his ankle despite falling awkwardly in the victory over Burnley and could even return against Leicester.

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