Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Dimitar Berbatov has made it clear Mauricio Pochettino will not risk upsetting his squad by resting players in the Champions League.
The Lilywhites have suffered a decline in form over recent weeks, falling into the fierce battle for a top-four finish in the Premier League and may finish this weekend level on points with Manchester United, should results go against them.
That set-up a stern challenge for the remaining weeks of the season and Tottenham still have the Champions League to think about, as they prepare for a testing double-header against Manchester City in the quarter-finals.
Considered outsiders for that clash, Pochettino may have been tempted to place his focus on the Premier League by resting key players for their continental ties - but Berbatov has claimed the squad would be furious if he were to take that approach.
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“Spurs have stumbled badly lately, taking one point from four Premier League games, and that's a concern. They have put so much pressure on themselves thanks to that bad run,” he told BetFair.
“The last defeat - losing when leading at Southampton was bad - you just don't let that happen if you want to be up among the best in the Premier League. I expect them to cling on in the top four fight but it's going to be very tough.
“Ultimately, the club will probably place more importance on maintaining their top four placing in the top-flight as it's essential they are in that competition next season given how expensive the new ground has been.
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“But they aren't going to play a weaker team in the Champions League. Imagine Mauricio Pochettino saying to one of his top players 'I am going to rest you against City'.
“That player will go f***ing crazy. You want to hear that anthem and play that game.”
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