Kieran Trippier has revealed he was forced to enrol at Tottenham's 'fat club' by Mauricio Pochettino.
Trippier was on a high in the summer of 2015 having just signed for Spurs from Burnley and enjoying a holiday in Mexico. However, when he rocked up at the club's training ground, he was brought back down to earth with a bump by his new manager.
His physical condition was not to the liking of the Argentine, tipped to take charge at Chelsea this summer, who demands supreme fitness levels from his players.
After being deemed to be overweight, Trippier was even sent into an altitude chamber as the club's medical staff tried to get him in shape ahead of the new season. But the harsh treatment did the trick, with the full-back going on to become a key player for club and country.
“I went on holiday to Cancun, thought I came back in good nick, and next minute I'm in the fat club. I was in the altitude chamber,” Tripper told The High Performance Podcast.
“There were a couple of us. I thought my weight was good but no, I was straight in the chamber after every session. And that's when I knew, this is different.”
Back in 2017, in an interview with the Daily Mail, Trippier admitted he was shocked by the level of preparation put in by the likes of Harry Kane.
“It was a shock,” he admitted. “When I came into training, [the senior players] had already finished in the gym. Certainly Harry. What they were eating [was different to me].
“I was well high [in body fat]. I think they pinch you tougher at Tottenham, unless it was my all-inclusive holiday in Mexico and the mojitos!
“It turns out I wasn't in the best shape when I came to Tottenham and the manager let me know that. He told me that and within six months of getting there I was in great condition.”