Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou insists he’s not seeking to sell Giovani Lo Celso.
The midfielder is being linked with Barcelona.
But Postecoglou said: “I looked at Gio really well before I got here, both here at Tottenham and his spells at other clubs.
“You can see he has certain qualities. He’s had a disruptive season for us. He’s had a few injuries, he hasn’t really had a clean run at it. He’s one of a number of players that that has happened to.
“But you can see technically he’s a very creative player. He works hard for the team. He’ll get an opportunity over the next few weeks to hopefully come in and make an impact. I haven’t had an issue with Gio at all. He had a really strong pre-season and then he got injured at Fulham which was his first start and that set him back for quite a while.
“He’s been working his way back to fitness. I haven’t had any issues with any of the players in terms of frustrations. All of them know that they’re in the same boat. They work hard at training, they’ll get their opportunity when it comes.
“When it comes, it’s up to them to put in performances and play at a level that continues to allow them to be part of it.”
He added: “If they’re here they’ll get an opportunity, that’s all you can offer. I don’t think his national team form is a direct correlation to here, just like anyone else’s.
“Gio will get an opportunity, particularly over the next few weeks because we are down on numbers and have a fair few games between now and new year.
“We won’t get anyone back of significance in that time apart from Romero so Gio and the other guys will get that opportunity.
“From my perspective, this is the time when I am getting an opportunity to make all these assessments because if you lump it all into one and look at previous exposure here at the club that’s not really relevant to me – it’s what I see from now on,” he explained.
“And how the players feel themselves about playing the football that I want and whether they see themselves fitting into that.
“Also with Gio, he has had a couple of disruptions. He had a good pre-season, the Fulham game was early in the year and I started him in that because I thought he had earned it, then he has a setback and has to work his way back. It hasn’t happened by design but I am certainly going to get a good look at everyone.”
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