Mauricio Pochettino insists the decision to start Christian Eriksen on the bench against Aston Villa is not down to transfer speculation.
Eriksen made his desire to quit Tottenham clear this summer but a move has so far failed to materialise.
He could yet move to a European club before the end of the month with both Madrid clubs keeping tabs on the situation.
Eriksen was named on the bench by Pochettino for the opener with Erik Lamela preferred to the Dane.
But Pochettino insists that is down to a fitness issue rather than a potential move away.
"It is the beginning of the season. I don't care about (the transfer speculation)," the Spurs boss said.
"After his duty with the national team he has had surgery and he's okay but we prefer he start from the bench."
Jan Vertonghen was also left out of the Tottenham squad for their opening match of the season.
Pochettino confirmed the Belgian defender was not injured, with Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez preferred in central defence.
On the Belgian's absence, Pochettino said: "We decided for different reasons that it would be Davinson and Toby.
"It is impossible to find a place for all players."
Pochettino did hand a debut to summer signing Tanguy Ndombele following his arrival from Lyon.
Fellow new boys Ryan Sessegnon and Giovani Lo Celso were not involved following their deadline day moves from Fulham and Real Betis.
