A report from Italy has given an insight into why Paulo Fonseca will not be becoming Tottenham Hotspur’s next head coach.
Earlier in the week it looked a certainty that the Portuguese coach would replace Jose Mourinho at Spurs.
But then came a bombshell on Thursday when it was widely reported that talks between Tottenham and Fonseca had broken down.
Originally it was suggested that Fonseca’s u-turn was related to tax reasons in the United Kingdom.
But Calciomercato have claimed that he and new managing director Fabio Paratici had very different plans for the recruitment.
The Italian publication is reporting that Paratici wanted a transfer window geared toward defensive players, while the former Roma boss wanted to improve the attack without changing the defence too much.
Here’s how some Tottenham fans reacted to that report on Twitter:
Paratici is right
If that is indeed true – and it’s a big IF because let’s face it, a lot of what is reported at this time of the year is rather questionable – then Paratici has the right idea.
Tottenham’s attack isn’t much to write home about if you take Harry Kane out of the equation.
But the defence has been a massive issue for a number of years now and the former Juventus sporting director is absolutely right in wanting to focus his attention on that department for the most part.
Toby Alderweireld remains the Lilywhite’s best defender and he’s 32, which sort of sums things up in North London right now.
Davinson Sanchez and Eric Dier aren’t good enough as starting centre-backs, while it’s also too early to judge Joe Rodon positively or negatively.
And in the full-back positions, Sergio Reguilon isn’t quite as popular among the supporters as he was during his first six months as the club’s left-back, whereas Matt Doherty and Serge Aurier don’t inspire confidence at right-back.
Defenders should be the order of the day for Tottenham.
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