USA defender Mark McKenzie has revealed Mauricio Pochettino is constantly urging him to copy Tottenham Hotspur star Cuti Romero.
AS cover comments from the defender today in which he admits they’re constantly talking about the Tottenham captain.
McKenzie is currently playing for Toulouse in Ligue 1. He is also a part of the USA squad and has been for the last five years after making his debut in 2020.
He’s yet to fully establish himself under Pochettino, missing the last international break in September entirely. He’s back, though, for this month’s fixtures against Ecuador and Australia.
That’s given him a chance to prove his worth to his coach, who needs plenty of centre-back options given he plays a system with a back three.
One player it seems he would like to have at his disposal is Romero. He’s a key player for Tottenham in the Premier League and on the international stage with World Cup holders Argentina.
Pochettino has never worked with him, leaving Tottenham before he arrived, but seemingly holds the defender in high regard. That’s if McKenzie’s comments are anything to go by.
“I think it’s about having a certain level of toughness, a certain level of aggression, when you’re on the pitch,” he said.
“At Tottenham, there’s a player like Cuti Romero. He’s a player Mauricio and I talk about constantly. It’s a balance between being a good guy off the pitch, very humble and calm, but as soon as he steps on the pitch, you feel his presence.
“He has a special aura. Any player who faces him will think it’s going to be a long day. So that’s an example of a player Mauricio and I sit down together and watch videos of.
“That’s the style he wants me to adopt. Once on the pitch, it’s about doing everything possible to benefit the team and get a win.”