Tottenham vs West Brom: Mauricio Pochettino insists it was 'my own idea' to utilise English talent

Kyle Walker, Danny Rose, Eric Dier, Dele Alli and Harry Kane have helped put Tottenham in the frame for the title

Tottenham celebrate after Harry Kane scores against Stoke (Getty)

One of the more refreshing aspects of the Premier League this season has been the emergence of Tottenham Hotspur’s English players.

Kyle Walker, Danny Rose, Eric Dier, Dele Alli and Harry Kane have not only sent the North Londoners to the brink of the title but they have also provided fresh optimism that they can deliver for Roy Hodgson at Euro 2016.

Yet they have not just produced the goods by magic, it is down to Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to invest in English talent at the expense of those from overseas has gone against the grain.

“English is important,” explained Argentine Pochettino who previously took charge of Espanyol and Southampton. “I was in Spain and when I first arrived in Spain it was the same.

“I think it’s important to give the opportunity to the players from the nationality of the club, I think it’s about identity and my responsibility as a manager to give the players the opportunity.

“I believe in all of the players. I don’t look at their passports before I play them, but it’s important if you’re in Italy, Spain, England or France, to show respect and to try to keep the identity of the club.

“We are an English club and, for me, it’s important to provide a good balance between the player and to keep the culture. We are living in England, English culture is important and you can’t be in an English club using Argentinian culture, or French, Italian, or whatever.

“I think it’s important for the foreign players who come here know that they have to integrate themselves in your culture, the English culture, and not the opposite way.

“It happens a lot, not just in football, but in football if the manager is Argentinian, he brings a lot of Argentinian players, people or Spanish people, for me it does not work. It can work for a short period, but not for a long time.

“It was my own idea. I’ve not copied anyone. It’s worked so far. So far, so good. I think not only me, the coaching staff, the club and the supporters, will feel proud about our players being with England. It’s very good.

“The fans love Harry Kane not just because he’s English but because he shows respect for the crowd, for the club and for the manager. It’s important.”

Alli lies prone on the floor after missing a chance to score (Getty)

Pochettino’s side are firmly in the title race as they host West Brom on Monday and he will be issuing no warnings to his players to keep their emotions in check following Jamie Vardy’s dismissal for rivals Leicester against West Ham last week.

“In football, you can’t send a message to be careful to the player,” he said. “They need to be free to play. If you translate that message then you put the idea in their head, in their mind, and always they are inhibited. You put a limit on the player. If that will happen we will see.

“I think we have shown a very good level at this moment and we need to fight for the next four games to achieve big things like win the title.”