Mauricio Pochettino blames international duty for Tottenham's drop in form
Coach Mauricio Pochettino claims the strain felt by players selected for England's last two games affected their club performances afterwards - and almost certainly cost Spurs a place in Europe next season.
He revealed that Harry Kane and Ryan Mason tried so hard to impress Roy Hodgson and co that they were weary when they returned - and Spurs Premier League form suffered as a result.
Now they will almost certainly have to wait another year to challenge for a coveted place in Europe.
Kane, Mason, Andros Townsend and Kyle Walker were all in the England squad that faced Lithuania and Italy.
Pochettino, who revealed that he had similar problems when he was at Southampton, said players always try too hard when they get their first international call-ups.
He said: "They try to impress the national manager and because they are over-motivated they expend a lot of energy.
Spurs lack aggression - Pochettino [AMBIENT]
When they came back they were a little bit down for two or three weeks and it was difficult for them to focus on normal life
Muaricio Pochettino
"When they came back they were a little bit down for two or three weeks and it was difficult for them to focus on normal life."
Pochettino revealed that he suffered similar effects after he played his first international for Argentina.
He added: "I was up on a cloud for a month and when I got back to Espanyol it was difficult. I came back and said, 'Oh, but now I play with Redondo, Batistuta...'
"You feel like a superstar and then you have to go back to Espanyol. It's difficult, but they are balanced, mature, humble people. That's the reality. It's not a problem for the international player.
"But against Burnley and Aston Villa it was a team problem for us."
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