Mauricio Pochettino has revealed Tottenham chief scout Steve Hitchen must receive credit for Lucas Moura’s explosive start to the season.
Moura arrived at Spurs from Paris Saint-Germain in January but struggled to break into Pochettino’s preferred line-up in the second half of the 2017/18 campaign.
However, with Heung-Min Son away at the Asian Games, Moura has been given a chance to cement a place in the first-team and is currently grabbing that opportunity with both hands.
The Brazilian has scored three goals in his last two games for Tottenham including a brilliant brace against Manchester United in Monday’s 3-0 win at Old Trafford.
And Pochettino believes Hitchen and his team deserve praise for advising the club to sign Moura in January.
“He (Moura) is going to receive much praise now,” Pochettino said after the game (via the Express). “But for me I want to say [well done] to our chief scout Steve Hitchen and all the people that worked with him, because they advised to sign him.
“When the people sometimes criticise because always it is tough now, I think I need to say well done, because today’s performance from Lucas Moura, for the people that advised and feel responsible too, they need to be praised too. That is why I want to congratulate them.
“There are always people who are working behind the scenes and it was a fantastic job because today I think Lucas deserves a lot of credit.”
Monday night’s result was Spurs’ first win at Old Trafford under Pochettino and only the Argentinian’s third Premier League victory against a top six rival away from home.
Moura will be hoping to keep his place in the side when Son returns from the Asian Games next month – the South Korean will compete in the final this weekend after providing an assist in the semi-finals.
I think he made this comment to defend the clubs transfer policy. Moura was always brought in for this season not last.
You could see the potential in the cameos when he got a run out but was rusty and short of competitive game time.
This year he’s had a pre season and looks prepared. It’s going to be interesting when Son comes from Asia and Lamela comes back fit. Competition for places all round.
He also eluded to how hard it was to sign players and how many people work behind the scenes.
COYS!