Tottenham Hotspur Links: Mauricio Pochettino Will Look Domestically for Players in January
A Christmas Eve Tottenham Hotspur Links is here.
It’s Christmas Eve and the days are winding down until the January transfer window opens. To begin today’s Tottenham Hotspur Links Mauricio Pochettino will be looking at domestic players first and foremost over talent from abroad. Not only does this make sense financially, but it makes it easier for players to transition from one league to another, just by going up the ladder in the English football league system.
And finally, three youth academy players were offered new contracts. This continues a trend since Mauricio Pochettino arrived. And that’s to reward youth players who are performing well with a long term deal and giving them an opportunity to make their way into the first team. These are the latest links below.
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The January winter transfer window is nearly approaching and Mauricio Pochettino has found a good place to look for players. They’re based in England.
The benefits of signing footballers domestically is that they know the style of play and won’t need a transitional period. If anything, they’ll just hit the ground running. As a reference point, think of Dele Alli. A League One player, only 19, but looks like he’s been in the Premier League for a few years already. Also, they’ll be much cheaper to sign.
With plenty of clubs looking abroad to do their shopping — no matter which window it is, summer or winter — there’s a lack of domestic players being signed. This won’t change unless management sees the benefits of going local. For Mauricio Pochettino, this is something that he will continue to explore and do..
“Always it is difficult to bring in players from outside [England],” said Pochettino.
“For them to adapt in the Premier League, to the culture, the language – it is difficult to bring in players from outside. You need to take the right profile.”
“I prefer to take players from England first. If we have the option to take players from here, I prefer it – from the Premier League, or the Championship or League One.”
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The biggest player who had to deal with a culture shock was Érik Lamela.
Now, besides his season-ending back injury during the 2013-14 season, the Argentine international a then 21-year-old had to overcome the difficulties of learning a new language as well as how the English style of football is played. Since his first season with Spurs, Lamela has gotten better and better.
So while it’s not entirely a waste to sign players outside of England, a team has to be patient in order to see any significant progress being made. Otherwise it’s best to just work with the players already on your squad than constantly bringing in whomever and seeing if everybody can gel together instantaneously.
“It is not easy, the transfer window now is not easy,” added Pochettino.
“You need one specific player and you can find this player but if not, it is better not to take any decision and work hard with the players you have and wait for the next transfer window.”
“We track all different places, different positions because it is our job to try to be aware of what is happening in the market. This does not mean we will sign some players.”
“It means only that you are aware and you track those players for the next transfer window in the summer.”
- A trio of youth academy players get new deals
- [via Tottenham’s official site]
Australian goalkeeper Tom Glover, right-back Kyle Walker-Peters and striker Shayon Harrison have all been given new contracts. This is to help build for the future, coupled along with other English talent that will be signed over the years.
There were no informational pieces from Hotspur HQ regarding Glover and Walker-Peters but there was one for Harrison. The reason being, was because Shayon Harrison seemed to be a complete unknown up to this point. It also coincided with Harry Kane undergoing an early season slump where he happened to score one goal in eight or nine appearances to start the year off.
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Aside from that, Tom Glover was brought over to join Tottenham’s U.S. pre-season tour, and while he didn’t play that day. It was already a given that Glover would be a long-term investment with Hugo Lloris, Michel Vorm and Luke McGee ahead of him at goalkeeper. The same can be said of right-back Kyle Walker-Peters. In front of KWP stands Kyle Walker (no relation whatsoever), Kieran Trippier and DeAndre Yedlin.
But in front of Harrison? Only Harry Kane and Shaq Coulthirst. Son Heung-min, Clinton N’Jie and Nacer Chadli are more of attacking midfielders or wingers than strikers. If you need some more info on who Shayon Harrison is, Hotspur HQ has you covered. Here’s an article about him and what he’s done.
Overall though, these latest contract extensions brings a lot of good news on Christmas Eve. And it won’t be that long until we see all three players getting more opportunities to join the first team.