Tottenham exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals how Spurs will counter Manchester City
TOTTENHAM will look to hurt Manchester City on Saturday.
That’s the verdict of BT Sport pundit Jermaine Jenas, who spent eight years at White Hart Lane as a player.
Tottenham travel to the Etihad this weekend off the back of six unbeaten games and three consecutive wins in all competitions.
They’ll have to be at their very best to stop City though, with Pep Guardiola’s side securing a Premier League record 15th straight victory on Wednesday night.
Jenas believes the Saturday evening clash represents a meeting of two of the top flight’s great managerial minds.
"Of course it is, yeah," he told Express Sport.
"These are probably two of the most sought-after managers in the world of football.
"If Pochettino ever became available and Pep’s services were no longer required at Manchester City, you can almost guarantee that the best [clubs] in the world would be after them.
"And if it wasn’t the best clubs in the world, it’d be the strongest countries chasing them, hounding them and begging them, almost certainly, because that’s exactly where they are."
Jenas doesn’t believe Pochettino will be scared of City, despite their incredible run.
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Tactically, for a game in the Premier League, this is as good as it’s going to get, really
"Tactically, for a game in the Premier League, this is as good as it’s going to get, really," he said.
"Mauricio is going to go on the front foot, he’s not a defensive minded person.
"I personally think this game is all about mentality for Spurs. Going into big games for the last few years, they’ve not really shown that ability to step up to the plate as a contender."
Jenas also discussed the contrasting situations Guardiola and Pochettino are in at City and Tottenham.
"Pep, I suppose, has now built his team and he’s got exactly what he wants from them," he said.
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"We’re seeing exactly what he was trying to do last year.
"From Mauricio’s point of view, the questions are starting to be asked. He’s got a different task at hand.
"Some of his better players are leaving, the likes of Kyle Walker, he had to leave this year.
"And he’s having to mould youngsters. He’s trying to do it a little bit more organically, which has to be applauded really as well. Because the way he wants to do things, he wants to run the club from top to bottom. But it’s a long process for him."
Watch Manchester City v Spurs live on BT Sport 1 on Saturday 16th December from 5pm. BT Sport is where the best in sport go head to head, bringing you live coverage of the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and the Emirates FA Cup. For more information, visit www.BT.com/sport
