Football
PA Sport 9y

Mauricio Pochettino hints that Tottenham goalkeeper pick done

The big question ahead of the Capital One Cup final is whether Hugo Lloris or Michel Vorm will start in goal for Tottenham -- a decision head coach Mauricio Pochettino suggests he has already made.

The north Londoners have the chance to end a seven-year wait for silverware on Sunday when they take on Chelsea at Wembley.

Spurs' strength in depth means Pochettino has some tough choices to make but none bigger than whether to stick with understudy Vorm.

The Dutch goalkeeper played in all five Capital One Cup matches en route to the final but undisputed No. 1 Lloris has, unsurprisingly, said he would like to figure.

The France goalkeeper would likely captain the side should he play, given Younes Kaboul and Emmanuel Adebayor are expected to miss out on a starting lineup Pochettino has already planned.

"I think that my decision I have [made],'' the Argentinian said. "I have an idea about the team for Sunday.

"I need to analyse after this game the selection for the starting 11 for Sunday."

That match on Thursday saw Spurs fall to a 2-0 defeat at Fiorentina, where, much like the first leg, a bright start petered out.

It meant Pochettino's men bowed out of the Europa League at the last-32 juncture after losing 3-1 on aggregate -- a result they have to quickly put behind them.

Sunday's final looms large and, in a bid to aid their chances at Wembley, the squad have stayed on in Italy instead of heading back to London as they normally do after European matches.

Instead, Tottenham are training at Coverciano -- Italy's equivalent to St George's Park -- before flying back on Friday afternoon.

"We only have three days to prepare for the final but we don't need too much," Pochettino said. "It is only small, tactical details because it is Chelsea. We know Chelsea and Chelsea know us.

"It is about our performance, it is a final and it is about winning not about playing good. It is important to get the trophy."

Pochettino says Tottenham must recreate the display that saw them to victory against Chelsea on New Year's Day.

"We got this victory against Chelsea on Jan. 1 and it is important for belief," he said. "I think it will be a different game, a final is always different. If you saw the game, our performance was nearly perfect and we played very well. We need to repeat the same performance to come close to winning the trophy.

"When you arrive at Tottenham, you know they are a big club. It is important to always be close to play for a big competition and try to get the trophy -- for us it is a very good opportunity.

"It is true there have been many years without a trophy so this is a very good chance to give the club another."

Pochettino will come up against Jose Mourinho once again, with the duo having faced one another in the Primera Division with Mourinho at Real Madrid whilst Pochettino was in charge of Espanyol.

"We have a very good relationship from Spain," he said of the Portuguese ahead of Sunday's Wembley encounter. "He is a manager I admire a lot. I think he is one of the best, if not the best, in the world. For me it is an honour to play a final against him.

"In our minds we feel we are always stronger than the opponent - we work hard to provide that feeling to the players and it is a very positive thing for us."

The Chelsea boss caused a stir with comments made on television last weekend and has long-claimed that there is a "campaign" against his side.

Mourinho's latest rant came after midfielder Nemanja Matic was sent off for reacting to a poor challenge from Burnley's Ashley Barnes -- with the Serbia international now missing the final through suspension.

Mourinho has been outspoken against the level of officiating this season but Pochettino is not worried about referee Anthony Taylor or his assistants being influenced on Sunday.

"No, I don't think the decisions of the referee will be affected," he added. "They are professional and we have trust in them. I don't think we need to be scared or worry about that."

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