Pochettino hits back at 'enemy' Xavi over Alli speculation

Mauricio Pochettino believes "enemy" Xavi is out
to destroy Tottenham's focus after the Barcelona
great said he expects Manchester City boss Pep
Guardiola to make a move for Dele Alli.
The crown jewel at White Hart Lane, PFA Young
Player of the Year Alli has developed into one of
Europe's most sought-after players since bursting
onto the scene with Tottenham in 2015.
Alli's exploits have alerted some of Europe's
biggest clubs, including City, who are keen to lure
the 21-year-old England international midfielder to
the Etihad Stadium, according to Xavi - now
playing for Qatari outfit Al Sadd.
Former Espanyol boss Pochettino hit back at Xavi
and his character in a light-hearted attack amid
speculation over Alli's future.
"He's in a period when he loves to talk, he's in
Doha and -- listen -- he was a Barcelona player,
he's my enemy. He tried to destroy our focus to win
because he hates me because he's Barcelona -- a
player, a fan, you know," said Pochettino.
"I know him [Xavi] very well, I played against him a
lot and when I was a manager [at Espanyol].
Thierry [Henry] was here and we remembered the
game that he [Xavi] cheated the referee. He fell
down, it wasn't a penalty, but [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic
scored for Barcelona and they won the game.
"The marking man was Raul Baena, Xavi fell down
and said 'penalty.' They gave a penalty. After, in
the video [replay], it was very funny because no
one touched him and everyone in the media was
saying, 'No, no trust me -- it was a penalty.' Come
on! It goes from lie to lie to lie.
"I don't know what Xavi said but he is working for
Manchester City, maybe? He wants to help
Guardiola and [club captain Vincent] Kompany."
Pochettino, whose Tottenham are seventh points
adrift of Premier League leaders Chelsea ahead of
their trip to Crystal Palace on Wednesday, added: "I
think, because we are doing good things, the clubs
with a lot of potential are focused on our talented
players.
"My relationship with Daniel Levy is so close so
far. You know the relationship between chairman
and manager can change in a moment but the
good thing is we have the plan to try to improve,
and we will deliver it when we finish the season.
"The players that we want to keep, we will keep,
because he said to me 'we don't need money'. If
we sell some players it is because we want to sell
some players.
"We will sell players because of the players we
want to sign. For our fans, it is so clear that all the
decisions we take are for the reason to try to
improve the team, to try to be more competitive
next season."