Christian Pulisic, an attacker for AC Milan, had initially chosen not to participate in the Gold Cup but is willing to play in friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland.
Coach Pochettino emphasized the importance of team cohesion and sticking to their plans, stating that players should respect the decisions made by the coaching staff and sports professionals.
He explained that the team has a professional support system, including sports doctors and athletic trainers, to assess a player's condition and determine whether they need rest.
Coach Pochettino acknowledged Pulisic's skills as a player but stressed that his inclusion in the team should be based on his performance, not solely on his reputation or personal preferences.
He also clarified that his role as coach is to make strategic decisions, not to blindly follow player requests, stating, "When I signed the contract with the Federation, I did it to be the head coach, not a dummy."
