Fabio Paratici talks Tottenham exit that shocked Paul Robinson on deadline day

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Fabio Paratici has told Tottenham Hotspur’s website that he feels Matt Doherty deserved the chance to join Atletico Madrid in a move that stunned many including Paul Robinson – given the defender joined the Spanish club on a free.

Doherty, 31, was expected to join Diego Simeone’s side on loan until the end of the season. Spurs had already allowed Djed Spence to join French outfit Rennes on loan. It took their overseas loans to eight – the limit under a FIFA ruling.

Joe Rodon is with Spence at Ligue 1 Rennes. Spurs also have Tanguy Ndombele (Napoli), Gio Lo Celso (Villarreal), Bryan Gil (Sevilla), Sergio Reguilon (Atletico Madrid), Destiny Udogie (Udines) and Harry Winks (Sampdoria) out on loan.

So, it prevented Doherty from going out on loan. Spurs felt Doherty deserved the chance to join a club like Atleti and so, decided to terminate his contract in order to allow Atleti to land him on a free. Paratici commented on his exit.

“I want to thank Doc because he has been an important player for us and he’s a super guy, and so this is my first thought about him. Then, I repeat, there is a balance between the squad, the number of players in the squad.

“The number of players in some positions and when we get this kind of opportunity, Atletico Madrid is a big club, it’s a big opportunity for him so I think it’s right to everyone to get this kind of choice,” Paratici told Tottenham’s website.

Paratici: Doherty deserved chance to join Atletico Madrid from Tottenham

It is a surprise move. Doherty has been in and around the first team all season and played some of his best football for Spurs under the guidance of Antonio Conte. Ex-Tottenham stopper Robinson took to Twitter to say it was a surprise.

But perhaps, it was more a surprise than it should have been. The signing of Pedro Porro would have seen Doherty fall down the pecking order. He is 31, and his deal would have been due to end in 2024. He is not going to get any better.

A loan is pointless, other than strengthening Atleti and Spurs still picking up a portion of his wages. Getting the ex-Wolves man out now, rather than paying more on his wages and letting him go for free in 2024, makes sense.