Spurs boss ready for another blank window
MAURICIO POCHETTINO claims he wouldn’t care if Tottenham go through another transfer window without a single signing.
Spurs fans were up in arms when they became the first Premier League club not to sign a player in a summer transfer window since they were introduced in 2003.
But Pochettino says that if he cannot find exactly what he wants next month, it is better for Tottenham not to sign anyone again.
“I would not be disappointed,” said the Spurs boss, whose third-placed side face Burnley today.
“I know very well that January is always difficult.
“In the same way, if you find a player, look what happened to different players that have arrived in January last season. It takes time to understand and to perform, to fit with the team.
“Sometimes it’s better not to sign someone if you don’t find the right player. Sometimes it’s better for the team spirit. But not in general.”
Pochettino is looking to add a defender to his squad with doubts about the long-term futures of Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen.
The Argentine has his eyes on Ajax star Matthijs De Ligt, who is also wanted by Barcelona and Juventus, and Espanyol’s Mario Hermoso.
But swooping for either of them in the New Year looks unlikely – and Pochettino even raised the prospect of allowing players to leave Spurs instead.
He said: “Sometimes, players who maybe not play too much, they need to go and play at another club.
“Maybe keeping players that don’t play in the first half of the season is something you can manage. But players that cannot manage to spend all the season not being important in the team – maybe the best decision is to send them on loan or to sell some players.”
It is understood misfit Fernando Llorente, 33, is keen to move to Athletic Bilbao, although Pochettino insists no decision will be made until he has spoken to the striker.
Pochettino also admitted he had previously considered sending defender Kyle Walker-Peters out on loan.
The 21-year-old started in the midweek draw at Barcelona, which clinched his side’s place in the last 16 of the Champions League, after signing a new four-and-a-half-year deal.
But despite the defender making an error that led to a Barca goal in the 1-1 draw, Pochettino now considers him a key part of his squad.
He said: “For me he is one of the best options.”