Aston Villa are considering Mauricio Pochettino as a replacement for Steven Gerrard. So, where are the Argentine’s first signings from his time at the Tottenham Hotspur helm now?
Gerrard is walking a tightrope at Villa Park with his future in charge of the Birmingham club uncertain. The 42-year-old took over the helm from Dean Smith in November 2021 with the club 16th in the Premier League. But nearly one year on, the Villans are again in 16th place.
- KANE WAS KEY TO POCHETTINO’S RECORD VS ASTON VILLA AS GERRARD HEIR IS EYED
- PARKER WAS KEY TO FULHAM’S 1 WIN IN 4 THURS PL GAMES BEFORE ASTON VILLA VISIT
Aston Villa have also only won two of their opening 10 games this term to three draws and five defeats. They have the second-worst offence with just seven goals to 13 conceded, as well. Smith lost his job after seven defeats and three wins in 11 games to open last season.
Aston Villa are considering Mauricio Pochettino to replace Steven Gerrard
Gerrard now faces a make-or-break week to avoid the sack as Aston Villa prepare to travel to Fulham on Thursday and host Brentford on Sunday. The Telegraph reports that anything but successive victories could spell the end of the Liverpool legend’s time in charge of Villa.
Even two victories could also only leave Gerrard on borrowed time with Aston Villa looking at Pochettino as his replacement. The Argentine has been out of work since July when Paris Saint-Germain sacked the 50-year-old. He had been in charge for 18 months and 84 games.
Aston Villa co-owner Nassef Sawiris will take a leading role in any search for a new coach if Gerrard is removed from office. The Villa Park hierarchy will also be willing to go to great lengths to convince Pochettino of the job and would wait if he is not ready straight away.
Pochettino’s record of developing young players and overseeing a project at a club are two factors why his appointment would likely appeal to Aston Villa. So, with Gerrard possibly a defeat away from the sack now, what became of Pochettino’s first signings at Tottenham?
Mauricio Pochettino made Ben Davies his first signing at Tottenham
Pochettino made Ben Davies his first signing in charge of Tottenham in July 2014. The 29-year-old left Swansea City for the north London club in an £8m deal and signed a five-year contract. Spurs have since extended his terms through to the end of the 2024/25 season.
Davies was 21 years old at the time of his transfer and a regular international with Wales since 2012. He is now a 74-cap defender set to feature at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar in Group B. The left-cum-centre-half will face England, Iran and the United States of America.
Michel Vorm joined Tottenham as Mauricio Pochettino’s second signing
Michel Vorm followed Davies from Swansea to Tottenham as another of Pochettino’s first signings at Spurs in July 2014. The Dutch goalkeeper penned a four-year contract as part of his £4.5m move. Tottenham later extend his deal to 2019 and also re-signed him to 2020.
Vorm spent three months as a free agent over the summer of 2019 between his initial exit from Tottenham and return. The 15-cap international would later hang up his boots at the end of the 2019/20 season. Yet he only played 48 games at Tottenham in all competitions.
Eric Dier is still in north London after joining Spurs under Mauricio Pochettino
Like Davies, Eric Dier is still in north London after joining Tottenham as one of Pochettino’s first signings in July 2014. The Argentine paid Sporting Lisbon £4m for the centre-half on a four-year deal. The 28-year-old is now under contract in the capital through to June 2024.
Dier was an integral part of Pochettino’s plans through his five years at the helm. The 47-cap England ace amassed 216 appearances under the now-unemployed tactician. He only spent prolonged periods out of Pochettino’s line-up if he was ever sidelined with an injury.
Mauricio Pochettino raided Seattle Sounders to buy DeAndre Yedlin
Pochettino raided Seattle Sounders to buy DeAndre Yedlin in August 2014 for £2.5m. The right-back remained at the MLS franchise for the first six months of his four-year contract. Sunderland later hired the Seattle native on loan for the 2015/16 Premier League season.
Yedlin’s efforts on Wearside sparked a £5m move to their Tyneside rivals Newcastle United. He had only played once for Spurs as a substitute for 11 minutes but enjoyed 125 games at St James’ Park. The 74-cap USMNT ace is now at Inter Miami after a year with Galatasaray.
Federico Fazio would not prove to be a success in the English capital
Federico Fazio would not prove to be a success in the English capital after joining Spurs for £8m. Pochettino triggered the release clause in the centre-half’s contract with Sevilla after Michael Dawson joined Hull City. Tottenham also gave the Argentine a four-year contract.
Yet Fazio eventually only saw out three years of his deal before joining Roma for just £3m. The Serie A side took up an option to buy the defender in July 2017 after a solid season on loan. He had also returned to Sevilla on loan during the second half of the 2015/16 term.
Pochettino allowed Fazio to depart north London having only fielded him during 32 games across all competitions. The 10-cap international, now plying his trade at Salernitana since switching Serie A sides in January, had started during all 20 of his Premier League outings.
Benjamin Stambouli rounded out Mauricio Pochettino’s first window at Spurs
Pochettino rounded out his first transfer window in charge of Tottenham through the £5m signing of Benjamin Stambouli from Montpellier. Yet the Marseille native only spent a year in the Premier League as he returned to Ligue 1 and France at Paris Saint-Germain for £6m.
The former U21 international featured 25 times for Spurs during the 2014/15 season. Then after 40 outings with PSG, Stambouli joined Schalke for £8m in August 2016. This time, the midfielder stayed put until July 2021 for 133 appearances before joining Adana Demirspor.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
