Mauricio Pochettino is understandably protective of his star asset Dele Alli, but few could have expected his scathing reaction to former rival Xavi Hernandez linking the player to Manchester City.
With Spanish football politics playing a major role in the Tottenham boss's views, he took exception to former Barcelona star Xavi saying the two-time PFA Young Player of the Year was a possible match for Pep Guardiola's side.
Argentine Pochettino, who came up against now Qatar-based Xavi during his time at Espanyol, labelled the Spain legend a 'cheat', a 'liar' and his 'enemy' in reponse.
"He's in a period when he loves to talk, he's in Doha and, listen, he was a Barcelona player, he's my enemy," Pochettino said.
"He tried to destroy our focus to win because he hates me because he's Barcelona - a player, a fan, you know."
Xavi's connections to City boss Guardiola aside, Pochettino recalls his Espanyol side losing 1-0 to Barcelona in 2009 courtesy of some alleged tricky on Xavi's part.
He said: "I know him [Xavi] very well, I played against him a lot and when I was a manager [at Espanyol]. Yesterday, Thierry [Henry] was here and we remembered the game that he [Xavi] cheated the referee. He fell down, it wasn't a penalty, but [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic scored for Barcelona and they won the game.
"The marking man was Raul Baena, Xavi fell down and said 'penalty.' They gave a penalty. After, in the video, it was very funny because no one touched him and everyone in the media was saying, 'No, no trust me - it was a penalty.' Come on! It goes from lie to lie to lie.
"I don't know what Xavi said but he is working for Manchester City, maybe? He wants to help Guardiola and [club captain Vincent] Kompany."
Pochettino's Spurs got to Crystal Palace on Wednesday night seven points adrift of Chelsea, after the Premier League leaders battered Southampton 4-2 on Tuesday night.
Spurs are five points clear of third-placed Liverpool, who have played 34 games, and seven points ahead of Man City who have also played 32 games.