Five years ago people had to Google Pochettino
2021, football has moved on. The money being spent this summer has shifted the goalposts – never a tolerable situation for a footballer.
Rose’s crime was to plaster across a national paper thoughts that are lurking in the backs of his team-mates’ minds.
So far, the shortfall in pay at the club has been made up with share options in the vision.
But unless boss Pochettino can keep producing and the team keep performing, that all becomes worthless and the economics take over.
Ahead of a difficult transition season at Wembley, the pressure is already high and the concern is that this is just the first test of the entire reduced-cost model Pochettino and chairman Daniel Levy are trying to use.
In any language, Pochettino refused to be drawn on what damage this disparity is causing. His press officer eventually moved the subject on; in the dressing room, it cannot be made to go away so easily.
At least when Pochettino spoke on the subject of potential signings, he could finally show his true colours again.
“Any we will have to Google?” one mischievous hack had enquired, referencing the interview again and Rose’s assertion that the club are only linked with players nobody has heard of. “When we signed Eric Dier, who is an international today, nobody knew him,” said Pochettino in miraculously restored perfect English. “Dele Alli was in League One. I don’t think it’s a matter to joke about. “Five years ago people had to Google, ‘Who is Pochettino?’ Then they all went straight to the Michael Owen penalty. That killed me!” Cue relieved laughter all round. Pochettino may be watching his words but underneath it all he remains the central personality with the one ‘fire’ that matters. Confident, hard to shake and able to resume control just when it seems things are against him. Spurs will need that over the months ahead. They might not need Rose.