Pochettino: Sanchez already one of the best in the world

Daniel Storey

Mauricio Pochettino believes that Davinson Sanchez is already one of the best central defenders in the world.

Sanchez was signed from Ajax for a fee of £42million in the summer, a transfer that raised eyebrows given that it smashed Tottenham’s transfer record.

Yet at 21, Sanchez has instantly adapted to life in the Premier League, and the Colombian is a key member of Tottenham’s back three.

Pochettino is not one to praise players for the sake of it and rarely resorts to hyperbole, so his compliments are striking.

“He is very ­important for the team because you saw again against Dortmund [in Spurs’ midweek win], how many times he was with ­Aubameyang one on one?” Pochettino said.

“How many central defenders can play one v one, and escape and go, be tight and press?

“And how many can say, ‘If you run, I can run too, because I am so ­confident when running’? Not many in the world can do this.

“Or against Swansea, against Tammy Abraham. How many times was he one v one, and the ball was behind him? He was on the halfway line and running back was not a problem. It was the same against Ronaldo.

“At 21 years old, he showed he is so brave. He takes risks, but is not reckless. I am so happy with him.”