As Tottenham gears up to take on Cypriot runners up AEL Limassol in Cyprus on Thursday, the news about who is going and who is staying in London is starting to filter through the news. Players confirmed not going to Cyprus are Emmanuel Adebayor, Christian Eriksen, Aaron Lennon, Younes Kaboul, Etienne Capoue, and Michel Vorm. It's not a total shock that some of the top line players aren't being sent on an away leg against a Cypriot also ran for the Europa League playoff. The second choice would theoretically be able to get the draw at worst, so coming out guns firing wouldn't seem like a total necessity in a length away leg during a congested first few weeks.
Try telling the Daily Mail that, however. According to that esteemed beacon of journalism, the lack of star power in this Tottenham away side for a Europa League fixture is an indictment on new head coach Mauricio Pochettino's priorities. Nevermind the fact that AEL Limassol is a much weaker side than APOEL, having a single European competition group appearance in its history after falling backwards into the Europa League group stage following their shock title win a few years ago. No, good sirs. Pochettino is steering this club into danger only a couple months on the job, clearly putting all of his chips in a cagey league race for Champions league places and not giving the Europa League the proper respect it deserves.
Now excuse the Mail while it crafts an article about how Arsenal missing fourth place and languishing in the Europa League would be the worst thing to ever happen. Seriously, Europa League, what a joke competition for provincial clubs.