Giovani Lo Celso talks about Spurs in recent interview | OneFootball

Back in the summer of 2019, there was plenty of excitement over the acquisition of Giovani Lo Celso from Real Betis. Fast forward five years, and the midfielder is back at Betis, after a disappointing spell in North London.

Despite clear talent, which he proved on a number of occasions, Lo Celso was unable to truly showcase that during his time in N17, for whatever reason. He did show glimpses, with an impressive run in the team in 19/20, his goal against Manchester City during lockdown – or his goal against the same opponent last season.

However, those moments were few and far between, with the 28-year old often not getting a run in the side in his last few years. In fact, he spent exactly half of his last three years out on loan in La Liga.

Former Spurs midfielder speaks about his time at the club

It’s a real shame that someone with clear ability didn’t work out at. In a recent interview, the Argentina international has spoken about various things Tottenham Hotspur. To begin, he spoke about the lure of Mauricio Pochettino in bringing him to the club: “When I decided to come, it was because of him. I got the call from Pochettino and when I had the chance I didn’t hesitate.

Would it have been different if he’d stayed? I don’t know, but obviously I would have liked to spend more time with him, because of the coach he is. I had the chance to join the club with Pochettino and it was a beautiful thing for me to be coached by him, but then a few months later, he was fired. He was kicked out.”

Despite not getting a chance to get his feet under the table under compatriot Pochettino, Lo Celso had praise for Jose Mourinho: “We had a great relationship, he is a coach of real status but at the same time he is very, very close to the players. I have great memories playing under Mourinho.”

He would then speak about the injury issues he had, missing 65 games during his time here: “There were moments, difficult moments, when injuries stopped me. It’s a different league, but I don’t think that changes much. If you look at the club today, how many players are injured? Or have been injured?

Cuti [Romero] is injured, [Micky] van de Ven, Richarlison, a lot of players are injured. It’s a period that can happen in a club when you have so many games, so much competition. You go through those periods. I always gave 100 per cent in every game so I don’t feel any bitterness in that sense.”

Then, the former Spurs midfielder spoke about how things were after Antonio Conte took over – the part of his time where he began to be loaned out: “There were some very strange things, They always told me one thing in the club and then something else happened on the pitch. But whatever, I don’t want to go into detail about what happened, but the way they handled things was very strange.

Many times, at the time of transfer decisions, the club said that they were going to count on me, that they wanted me not to leave. And then it happened anyway, the complete opposite.”

Even last season, his final campaign at the club, there was a lack of clarity for Lo Celso, who had expected to leave: “I thought it would be a new start because at the time when the market closed I had options to leave, to go to other teams.

First, the club had communicated to me that they wanted me to leave, then they told me that they wanted me to stay and when it was my turn to play, I tried to do it in the best way. In fact, I had the chance to score a couple of goals in the games I played, but then that was it, after that nothing more.

It was all a bit weird because I played when it was my turn to play and I think I did it well. And then after that, from one day to the next, I didn’t have a clue what was going on. It all became a bit of an uphill struggle.”

The international team mate of Romero offered his thoughts on the defender’s decision to call out the club hierarchy: “Obviously Cuti said that for a reason and for me as well to be honest there are many strange things. I prefer not to spread open a fan I cannot close but it was very weird, very strange last season.

If there was something that kept me afloat it was the fans. The club is now in transition and I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I think all of us have to take responsibility.

I don’t know if relief is the word but I do know that last season they gave me a hard time. In the end, it’s over, it’s a cycle that’s finished and the truth is I have some great memories of the people at Tottenham. The stadium is unique, every game we played, any day of the week, it was full, which is incredible for a player.

I was in England a long time, a new experience, a new language, so in football and in life it was an unforgettable experience.”

Fair play, a very honest interview, without being scathing of the club, whilst throwing some shade at those upstairs. What we like to see. Lo Celso is enjoying a fruitful return to Spain, with six goals in just 707 La Liga minutes this season.