Pochettino says Sissoko doesn't deserve to be selected

Cape Town - In comments seemingly directed at out-of-form midfielder Moussa Sissoko, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino says he will not automatically pick someone just because they cost a lot of money.

Sissoko came off the bench for Spurs' 2-1 defeat by Monaco last week, which effectively ended their Champions League campaign this season, while he was left out of the match-day squad altogether for the loss against Chelsea on Saturday.

The former Newcastle midfielder has struggled to hold down a regular place in the Tottenham first team since making a £30million move at the start of this season and Pochettino is adamant how much a player cost will not affect his decision of who to pick for any given fixture.

He said: "If you sign a player and you expect something, and you do not find what you expect, and if another deserves to be involved, like Georges-Kevin N'Koudou or Vincent Janssen, then why [do we play another]? Because we paid money we need to put the player to play?

"Football is not about money. You show on the training ground that you are better than another team-mate and you deserve to be involved. Of course he needs to work hard and show in the future that he deserves to be involved in the team.

"I need to take a decision and I believe the players that start on the bench deserved to be involved in the game. It is not another thing to focus on.

"I think there is nothing wrong. We are in a good position in the Premier League. You saw a very different performance between Monaco and Chelsea - that happens because to be fresh to play in both competitions is difficult. We need to learn about that and start to win games."

Tottenham next welcome Swansea City to White Hart Lane on Saturday where Pochettino's men will be looking to get back to winning ways.

Kick off is at 17:00.