Pochettino: Spurs don’t need to qualify for Champions League to keep star players

Mauricio Pochettino insists Tottenham do not need to qualify for the Champions League this season to keep their star players.

Spurs sit fourth in the Premier League ahead of Saturday’s London derby at Crystal Palace, but Spurs’ head coach does not fear high-profile departures if the Lilywhites fail to seize a seat at Europe’s top table.

“Why? Last season was the same,” said Pochettino. “You all asked me about Hugo Lloris – if we weren’t in the Champions League maybe he would expect to leave the club. But Hugo is here and is very happy, and Harry Kane is the same.

“I think it’s not necessary. The important thing for the players is that they need to know and to believe in the way that we are and the future of the club. They need to trust in us, that we are in a good way, not whether we achieve different things.

“It is important to achieve the Champions League for next season. This is our challenge and objective because we are ambitious. But whether the players stay does not depend on our position, it depends on the project and the way that we work and play - because right now they believe we will get success, whether it is this season or next season or two seasons ahead.”

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