Football
Dan Kilpatrick, Tottenham Correspondent 8y

Mauricio Pochettino expects Spurs signings but happy with centre-backs

MELBOURNE -- Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino says he expects to make more new signings this summer but insists he is happy with his options at centre-back.

Spurs have already signed Victory Wanyama from Southampton and Vincent Janssen from AZ Alkmaar for a combined £27 million, while Georges-Kevin Nkoudou is set to follow from Marseille, once the French club have signed a replacement.

"I expect some signings in the next few weeks -- we'll see what happens. We expect some activity, yes," Pochettino told a news conference.

With Jan Vertonghen injured, Kevin Wimmer nursing a black eye, and Toby Alderweireld and Eric Dier among the senior players left in London after Euro 2016, Pochettino handed debuts to young centre-backs Cameron Carter-Vickers, 18, and Dominic Ball, 20, in Tuesday's 2-1 defeat to Juventus in the International Champions Cup.

The duo endured a tough opening half-hour against Paulo Dybala and Roberto Pereyra and were both guilty of mistakes in the build-up to Dybala's fifth-minute opener.

Asked which positions he would strengthen, Pochettino refused to specify but did say he was not looking to add a defender, adding that Vertonghen should be fit for the Premier League opener at Everton on Aug. 13.

"Jan Vertonghen is in London but he is training very well now. He's very close to coming back. Wimmer, Alderweireld and Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama can play centre-back. And then young players like CCV [Carter-Vickers] and Ball. We have enough players in that position," Pochettino said.

"He [Vertonghen] is going well in the last few days and we'll see when we arrive Monday and start training with all group what condition he is. If it's not possible [for him to play against Everton], we have players enough to replace him."

Pochettino also handed Marcus Edwards, Anton Walkes, Shayon Harrison and Luke Amos their first appearances against Juve and they will likely get another opportunity in Friday's match against Atletico Madrid.

Pochettino urged Tottenham's young players to take advantage of their opportunity to play.

"The most important thing is that when they have the opportunity to show their quality, they take it," he added. "It's very good to play this type of game against teams consistently in the Champions League -- the biggest teams in the world. They can show their quality and personality and we can take a lot from these games.

"A good example was Dele Alli -- he came from MK Dons in League One. After a few months, he took a place in the starting XI. And you know what happened after. He went to the Euros with national team. The young players have time to mature and improve. They need to take the opportunity."

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