Published: 14 January, 2016
by DAN CARRIER

SPURS outcast Andros Townsend fired a reminder to boss Mauricio Pochettino this week as he starred for the club’s Under-21s in a friendly against London rivals Chelsea. 

The winger, who has been playing for the youth side since falling out with coaching staff in October, turned in a man-of-the-match performance as he scored two goals in two minutes in a thrilling 5-4 defeat to the Blues. 

Tottenham are looking for a club willing to pay the £14million asking price for Townsend this January, with Newcastle emerging as a possible destination. 

Speaking after Sunday’s 2-2 FA Cup draw with Leicester, Pochettino was asked if Townsend had a future at the club. 

He said: “I do not comment on speculation, but I have 26, 27 players in my first-team squad and I can only pick 17 per game. And I can only pick 11 to start. 

“That is my decision, my opinion and how I see it. He is still a member of our squad and who knows what may happen in the next few games?” 

Meanwhile Pochettino has claimed youngster Dele Alli can be as good as Juventus hero Paul Pogba. Alli signed a new contract at Spurs this week which will keep him tied to the club until 2021. 

Signed for just £5million from MK Dons, he has scored five times and cemented his place in the Spurs starting XI, and earnt himself an England call-up.