Monday 2 February 2015 07:24, UK
Mauricio Pochettino says Chelsea-bound Juan Cuadrado has all the attributes to succeed in the Premier League.
The Colombia winger is expected to complete his move to Stamford Bridge this weekend, jetting in from Italy on Saturday to put the seal on a move from Fiorentina.
Pochettino's Tottenham were due to come up against Cuadrado in the Europa League next month but their meeting could now come in the Capital One Cup final on March 1 instead.
"He is a top player," Pochettino said when asked how highly he rated the 26-year-old former Udinese player.
"He is a decisive player. He is very strong. I've watched him a lot playing for Colombia, his national team.
"(Jose) Pekerman and Nestor Lorenzo, the manager and assistant manager for Colombia, are my friends. I speak always about Cuadrado. He is a top player."
Pochettino says it is difficult to be absolutely sure how a player will adapt to a new league but feels Cuadrado's quality will shine through in his new home.
"You never know but he has all the attributes to be successful here," Pochettino added.
"He is a very good player. He's a wing-back. He can play like a winger and like a full-back. He is strong, he is powerful and he is very technical."
