Mauricio Pochettino delighted for Fernando Llorente as striker ends 'nervous' search for first Spurs goal

Pochettino was thrilled with Llorente’s goal and said afterwards how much it meant

Fernando Llorente puts Spurs in front (Getty)

Mauricio Pochettino revealed how delighted he was for Fernando Llorente who finally scored his first Tottenham goal on Wednesday night, admitting that the veteran Spaniard had been getting “nervous” about his inability to find the net.

Llorente has impressed at times since joining Spurs from Swansea in the summer but had been missing chances, including a good one to equalise in the 2-1 defeat at Leicester City. But here at Wembley this evening he scored his first, with one brilliant piece of control on the turn to put Spurs 1-0 up against Apoel Nicosia. He celebrated with the look of a man who had been waiting to break his duck.

Pochettino was thrilled with Llorente’s goal and said afterwards how much it meant. “I am very pleased, it is so important for him,” Pochettino said. “When you are a striker, you need to feel the net and score. It was fantastic for him. He has waited a lot, you know how they wait when they wait. If you don’t score, they are always very nervous. It is not only about play, but also about scoring. He is so happy now.”

Pochettino swooped to sign Llorente from under Chelsea’s noses at the end of the transfer window and was still pleased with the signing, and spoke about how much he would contribute. “He is a player who is going to help, and is helping a lot,” Pochettino said. “With more confidence and belief he is going to help the group.

“He just needs time to adapt to his new team and new style of play. Players always need time to adapt to the team. When you are at a new team and club with no pre-season you need time. It is so difficult to get fit and find your best.”