Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino is far from pleased with Lionel Scaloni’s decision to call up Giovani Lo Celso for Argentina’s friendlies against Brazil and Uruguay. The midfielder picked up a hip problem during the previous international break and he has since managed just two appearances for Spurs totalling 13 minutes.

Speaking in a press conference, Pochettino was not happy with the midfielder’s inclusion in the squad, given he has just recovered from another frustrating injury, he told: “In general, always the manager you want your players at home. For him it’s going to be tough, because when he’s nearly fit again to start to play he needs to go away. Changing the dynamics of training sessions, some wrong situations can happen. Being honest, I am not happy. But I accept it as I always defend the national team and back the decision of the national team as I was a player and know what it feels to play. I can do nothing, only to show and describe my feelings.”

Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele were Spurs’ standout purchases during the summer transfer window but neither of them have been able to cement a regular role due to fitness concerns. As a result, Pochettino has had to contend with the existing options within the squad and so far, things have not gone as planned with the club languishing at the bottom end of the league table.

Apart from Lo Celso, the likes of Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero are some of the high-profile additions to Scaloni’s squad for the forthcoming friendlies. Aguero will be making his appearance for Argentina since the summer. The same remains the case with Messi, who was handed with a three-month international ban after the derogatory comments on the referee following the country’s exit from the Copa America.