According to The Daily Mail, Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino's treatment of three players this season has caused unease.

The report names Jan Vertonghen, Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli as the trio in question, with all being dropped by the Argentine at points during the season.

The former missed out on the squad entirely on the opening day against Aston Villa despite being available – with The Daily Mail reporting at the time that it was down to fitness levels and poor pre-season displays – while Eriksen had to settle for a spot on the substitutes' bench against Leicester City and then Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

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Meanwhile, Alli was another who failed to make the 18 altogether for the trip to the King Power Stadium last month.

The Daily Mail says those occurrences have caused unease at the club.

Verdict

It is surprising to see players who have been so key during Pochettino's tenure with the north London outfit left out of matchday squads, because even if they aren't performing to the level they once were you would still expect them to be part of the 18.

Vertonghen especially is clearly an experienced and influential member of the team, so it is no surprise that the manager potentially having disagreements with the 32-year-old would cause some tension and unease.

It is also understandable in other ways however, with the 47-year-old manager probably frustrated that the Belgian and Eriksen both have less than a year remaining on their contracts, meaning the uncertainty over whether they will go or stay remains.

He could do without that distraction, but he also needs everyone onside and pulling in the same direction to get Tottenham back on track.