Juan Foyth was lambasted by some supporters after Tottenham suffered a 2-1 defeat at Burnley on Saturday. The 21-year-old hadn’t played in the Premier League since December 2018, but he was given the nod by Mauricio Pochettino over the weekend and failed to justify the decision.
Against Burnley, Foyth made 64 touches, 53 passes with only 68% accuracy, five clearances and won four aerial duels. He failed to make a tackle or interception at Turf Moor and was eventually hooked after 75 minutes for Erik Lamela.
Fans weren’t happy that Foyth started at the back while Davinson Sanchez didn’t make the matchday squad. They made their feelings clear on social media, criticising Pochettino’s squad selection, but Foyth’s overall performance drew the most ire.
Love Pochettino but he had to take responsibility today. Hard to think of a worse game to play Foyth than Burnley away with the sun in his eyes. Then we lost our shape after all the subs and actually looked worse. Son was awful throughout too. #THFC #spurs
— Manoamano 🏴 (@Manoama89) February 23, 2019
Not one player had a decent game today. Sissoko, Foyth and Aurier in particular but poor all round. Just the small matter of Chelsea and Arsenal to come in the next week #THFC
— Lee McAtee (@LeeTHFC) February 23, 2019
Foyth is not a defender #THFC
— yid (@isvage17) February 23, 2019
https://twitter.com/TownEndJimmy/status/1099320850048864256
Poch needs to stop playing Foyth away from home. The guy can’t handle a hostile atmosphere. #COYS #THFC
— The White Wall (@Glory_THFC) February 23, 2019
Foyth is a young enigma. Clearly likes the ball and has tremendous self confidence (too much?) but I'm not sure he's a defender. Not yet, anyway. Seems a bit unaware at times and can be bullied. Further forward, he's smooth and smart #THFC #COYS
— SimonTHFC (@SMTHFC1) February 23, 2019
https://twitter.com/Timmymagic84/status/1099312974630670336
Terrible performance. Aurier, Sissoko, Rose, Son and Foyth in particular were awful #coys #thfc
— InsideOut Guy (@InsOutGuy) February 23, 2019
It’s what we get for playing three defenders who can’t head against a long ball team! Aurier, Rose and Foyth are absolutely shocking #THFC
— Nathan Singleton (@singo182) February 23, 2019
Too many has poor personal performances today.
Aurier, Foyth, Sissoko, Son amongst others were below par today. #COYS #THFC
— Nick Davison (@nick_davison10) February 23, 2019
Foyth has made 19 appearances in all competitions since joining Tottenham from Estudiantes in 2017. The central defender enjoyed a run in the side earlier in the season when Pochettino endured an injury crisis at the back, but opportunities have been few and far between ever since. He did impress in the Champions League last week, however.
Foyth has struggled for minutes in the league, racking up only two top-flight appearances since December 5, and has hardly staked his claim for more chances down the line after his below-par performance against the Clarets.