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Danny Rose denies talk of a rift with Mauricio Pochettino as Tottenham transfer speculation rages on

A move away from Spurs, most likely to Manchester United, is still a distinct possibility at some point in 2018 but Rose played down talk of any problem between him and his manager

Jack Pitt-Brooke
Thursday 07 December 2017 12:21 GMT
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Danny Rose insists he doesn't have a problem with Mauricio Pochettino
Danny Rose insists he doesn't have a problem with Mauricio Pochettino

Danny Rose has insisted once again that there is no issue between him and manager Mauricio Pochettino, who he said has been his “biggest fan” since he took over at Tottenham in 2014.

Rose’s position at Tottenham has been uncertain ever since he tried to force a move in August with a controversial newspaper interview, criticising Spurs’ transfer policy and wage structure.

A move away from Tottenham, most likely to Manchester United, is still a distinct possibility at some point in 2018, and in recent weeks he has been at odds with Pochettino over his own fitness.

Pochettino did not think he was fit enough to be in the 18-man squad for the north London derby, a decision which Rose later admitted left him “fuming”, even though he respected Pochettino’s right to make it.

But Rose played another 70 minutes last night against APOEL in the Champions League, and said afterwards that there was no issue between him and his manager. Rose appeared to exchange words with Pochettino when he was substituted with an eye injury, but explained that there was no problem in their relationship.

“This is getting silly now,” Rose insisted. “The manager said it was best I came off, and I didn't want to come off. That was it. I’ve seen already that people are saying we exchanged words. There is no issue between me and the manager. There has never been an issue. And people trying to put stuff in the media is not welcomed.”

Rose pointed to how much he has improved under Pochettino’s guidance, becoming one of the best left-backs in Europe over the last few years before his knee injury that has ruined his 2017. “For the last three-and-a-half years to four years, the manager has been my biggest fan,” Rose said. “He’s given me nothing but love and respect. There is no issue. There never will be an issue.”

Rose played 70 minutes against APOEL on Wednesday evening 

Rose is still getting his fitness back to 2016 levels after undergoing knee surgery in May but is confident that the more he plays, the readier he will be for the busy Christmas period. “I’m playing a game a week at the minute so hopefully I will get there if I stay injury-free,” Rose said.

“Once I get through this Christmas period and into the New Year, I feel I’ll be 100 per cent.”

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