REAL WANT POCH
Spurs boss is No 1 target and they’ll go for Kane and Alli, too
MAURICIO POChettInO is Real Madrid’s no 1 target to replace Zinedine Zidane if the French manager cannot turn around his side’s season.
tottenham’s harry Kane and Dele Alli are also on a list of possible summer recruits as Madrid look to freshen up a squad that has become stale after three years without a ‘galactico’ acquisition.
As tottenham’s 3-1 win over Madrid reverberates around the continent, Zidane faces his first crisis since taking over a year and a half ago and Pochettino is seen as the long-term solution.
Madrid are eight points behind Spanish league leaders Barcelona and look set to finish second to Spurs in their Champions League group. Real president Florentino
Perez has an excellent relationship with Pochettino, referring to him as ‘my Poch’ when Spurs drew 1-1 in Madrid two weeks ago. ‘I have a lot of respect for Florentino,’ Pochettino told Radio Marca. ‘I’m pleased if he feels the same way. he is always friendly towards me.’
the Argentine would be a hugely popular choice with Real supporters, having said in the past he could never coach Barcelona because of his time as manager across the city at espanyol.
Zidane has won seven trophies in 19 months, but there are doubts about his ability to guide Real’s young squad.
the group would be improved by the addition of Kane and Alli, who impressed in Wednesday’s 3-1 win at Wembley. Spurs would resist any sale and slap huge valuations on their star players.
Of the two, Alli is more open to a move abroad. the key may be who represents him, with Jorge Mendes the frontrunner. Relations between Mendes and Madrid are not as close as they were, but his involvement could push through a deal.
Alli’s family have not ruled out going for Mino Raiola, because he is happy to take care of contracts and leave them to manage Dele’s day-to-day affairs and PR. Raiola’s appointment as agent would bode less well for any switch to Spain.
Meanwhile, Spurs fear captain hugo Lloris will miss their matches against Crystal Palace and Arsenal. France boss Didier Deschamps revealed yesterday that Lloris had suffered a thigh injury on Wednesday, ruling him out for a fortnight.