‘Massive mistake’ Pochettino complains of PSL transfer window change
CAPE TOWN— Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has called for a swift return to the previous format of the English transfer window as clubs are now starting to realise the change “was a massive mistake”.
A majority of English top-flight clubs — including Spurs — voted two years ago to move transfer deadline day, previously at the end of August, to a date before the season began.
The reasoning at the time was that some clubs felt unsettled by the potential disruption of player moves during the early weeks of the campaign.
Pochettino claims this has not worked because, with no uniformity across the continent, clubs can still lose players to European sides even after the domestic deadline has passed.
Spurs are feeling that particularly this year with a number of players now into the final year of their contracts — notably playmaker Christian Eriksen — being linked with moves elsewhere.
Pochettino said: “I wasn’t in agreement (with the decision) but at that moment they believed that was best for the clubs. But I think he (Spurs chairman Daniel Levy) and a lot of people now realise it was a massive mistake. I hope that we fix the problem for the next season.
“I think we need to go back and operate in the same way that they operate in Europe because I think it’s massive when you go to compete in the Europa League or Champions League.
“It’s a problem for a team like us and it’s so clear that I cannot be happy as a coach that in the last three weeks clubs from Europe can unsettle your team.
“For me, it’s not common sense and we need to go back quick, hope they have a good conversation at the Premier League and go back quickly.”
Asked if Levy would agree with him, Pochettino said: “I don’t know but I hope yes.”
Spurs have finished in the top four for the past four seasons under Pochettino but have been unable to compete with their biggest rivals in the transfer market.
This summer the club did break their transfer record to sign Tanguy Ndombele for £53.8million and also brought in Giovanni Lo Celso, Jack Clarke and Ryan Sessegnon.
Yet there were no new arrivals in 2018 and uncertainty over the future of Eriksen underlines a fear that star players can be more readily picked off by rivals.
Pochettino has learned situation.
“It’s a process that is completely different when you compare it to Manchester City, to Manchester United or Arsenal, Chelsea, teams like this. They are preparing themselves to win,” said the Argentinian, whose side eked out a 2-2 draw at City on Saturday despite mustering only three shots to their hosts’ 30.
“For us, the priority was to build the new stadium — and of course to win because we want to win — but I think the way we operate is completely different.
“I’m not complaining, only that I try to describe the truth and some people struggle to understand what the project is at Tottenham.
“We’re in a process where every season is rebuild the team, every season is rebuild the season.
“I am so happy because that makes us stronger and to be creative, but of course it’s tough.
“People understand we are playing to try to to accept the win but we have different resources to fight in the same race with teams that operate in a different way.” — AFP. CAPE TOWN — Manchester United forward Alexis Sanchez has reportedly agreed personal terms with Inter Milan ahead of a season-long loan.
The Chilean forward has struggled to live up to expectations since moving from Arsenal 18 months ago and has been heavily linked with a return to Italy, where he used to play for Udinese.
However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hinted over a possible U-turn when he revealed that Sanchez “might end up playing a lot more games than you expect”. Despite those comments, Sanchez’s exit looks to still be on, with Corriere Dello Sport claiming he has accepted Inter’s offer.
The ex-Barcelona star has agreed to take a pay cut to arrange the move —something he had not been willing to do for Inter’s Serie A rivals Roma, who he rejected the chance to sign for.
Inter are expected to sign him on loan with an option to buy, with United still paying a portion of his salary. The Nerazzurri will only have to contribute €3 million towards his wages for the season.
The deal could be completed within the coming week, with his agent Fernando Felicevich expected to be in Manchester shortly to meet with the Old Trafford hierarchy, in hope of pushing the move through. — AFP.