Paul Merson has claimed that the likes of Tanguy Ndombele, Steven Bergwijn, Joe Rodon and Giovani Lo Celso ‘aren’t going anywhere’ during the January transfer window, as he told Sky Sports News (01/01/22 at 2:10 pm).
The Sky pundit agreed that even though Antonio Conte ‘doesn’t fancy’ the Tottenham players, they won’t leave unless ‘they get their drink out of it’.
From the above players named, only Ndombele has started a Premier League game under Conte and that was Tottenham’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool.
The signs do suggest that if another team were to knock on their doors for those players, then there wouldn’t be much fight to keep them.
And their lack of minutes out on the pitch also suggests that they should be looking to move on.
But Merson doesn’t think they will be going anywhere anytime soon, as he suggested that the financial situation has to suit them for that to happen.
“There are assets they could sell,” said presenter Jeff Stelling. “Maybe Steven Bergjwin. Joe Rodon, who he doesn’t seem to fancy. Ndombele, who he doesn’t seem to fancy. Lo Celso.”
Merson responded: “The problem is, in this day and age. All them players, you have just named. They aren’t going anywhere.
“Unless they get their drink out of it. They aren’t going to go anywhere and that’s going to be the problem.
“If you are going to get rid of them, then they are going to have to swallow a pill.”
Tottenham are chasing Champions League football under Conte and their outgoings might just be as important as their incomings.
For far too long now, Spurs have been in a situation where a number of their star players or big-money players have either stagnated or they just haven’t worked.
The likes of Ndombele are certainly in that bracket and a move away from north London is the best option.
But given the club-record fee that was paid for the Frenchman, it’s not going to be that easy parting ways with him.
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