POCH IS NOT HOT FOR REUNION WITH DELE
MAURICIO POCHETTINO is unlikely to offer Dele Alli an escape route out of Spurs.
David Webb – the transfer guru who worked with Pochettino on signings for Tottenham – reckons the new Paris Saint-germain boss will spend this month assessing his star-studded squad.
Pochettino signed Alli from MK Dons and had been tipped to swoop for the 24-year-old again – and former Spurs star Christian Eriksen, who has struggled at Inter. Webb said: “He knows Eriksen and Dele really well, Mauricio had a fantastic relationship with both players and accelerated their development.
“But, knowing him, he will first of all take a good look at the squad. That might take a bit of time, so I would imagine in January he will be taking a broad view first before making any decisions on who needs to be added.
“What he has is a fantastically talented squad and he will want time to assess it properly.”
Former PSG managers – including the sacked Thomas Tuchel – have struggled to get Neymar to track back and do defensive duties. Pochettino prefers a high-energy style of football and Webb reckons he has the people skills to persuade Neymar to work hard for the team.
He added: “One of Poch’s key strengths is that he is an excellent man-manager, so I am sure he will get Neymar to buy into his football.
“In terms of pressing, there will be a key role where Neymar will get to use both sides of his game to good effect. Neymar and Kylian
Mbappe are the superstar players he now has at his disposal and I think he will see them as world class.”
PSG could move for Lionel Messi when his contract at Barcelona expires in June.
“I am sure he wouldn’t turn down Messi if he was available,” said Webb.
“He is clever enough as a coach to work him into his system. The good thing about Mauricio is he can adapt his coaching philosophy to the players he has.”