JACK DIDN’T GET HIS MOVE... NOW FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF COUTINHO
THE NEW transfer deadline has caused great debate and there have been many critics about the early closing of the window. But it is closed now and for those players who have been the subject of significant interest but did not get their moves, they have to forget about everything that has happened over the last few weeks and concentrate on the importance of playing. I have been in dressing rooms with lads who thought they were going somewhere but ended up staying put. The stories don’t always come out but it seems to happen every year that someone will think they are leaving only for things to fall through. Not for one minute do I think Leicester’s Harry Maguire or Jack Grealish of Aston Villa will sulk but they are bound to think of what might have been, having been persistently linked with Manchester United and Tottenham respectively. The worst thing anyone could do, though, is go on strike or stay away from the training ground. There is absolutely no mileage in showing dissent. You gain nothing from displaying a lack of respect to the club that employs you and you’ll hardly endear yourself to the team that wants to buy you. If you want an example of how to get over a blocked transfer, look at Philippe Coutinho. Everyone knew he had his heart set on joining Barcelona this time last year but he got his head down and played well for Liverpool. A few months later the circumstances were right. Clubs don’t tend to lose interest in players they pursue. What they want to see is the form that caught their eye in the first place continue. I’ve no doubt Maguire and Grealish will show over the next 12 months why they have been such wanted men.