Close to an opportunity but not to actually play

I love Mauricio Pochettino beautifully worded diplomatic comments when asked about Emmanuel Adebayor's fitness at his Friday press conference.

Close to an opportunity but not to actually play


“The last few weeks he has proved his level in training and he is close to being available to have the opportunity to play."

To me that says I don't want to play him, he is getting fitter and when he is fit then I have the opportunity of naming him in a squad if I need to rest a player and not pick him.

The Togo international has not played since the defeat to Stoke City and his bust up with Harry Kane. Spurs are hawking him around to anyone they can think of to get rid of him so Pochettino will not be keen to reintroduce such a negative influence on the youngsters. He has not bought into Pochettino's methods which means it's impossible for him to give his best.

Emmanuel Adebayor will only be deemed fit enough if it becomes clear that we can't get rid of him this window, then we'll be hearing some PR from both sides to make out everything is just fine and we are best of friends once more. How nice.