Tottenham Hotspur boss criticised the club’s recent transfer policy. Do they miss Paul Mitchell?
Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino has criticised the club’s recent transfer policy, insisting they need to be more proactive.
Spurs did not sign any players until the final month of the transfer window, and Pochettino says the club need to start planning already for next summer.
He pointed back to the capture of Dele Alli in 2015, which saw Spurs loan him back to MK Dons for the final few months of that season.
Pochettino told The Guardian: “The most important thing that we have been talking about is to identify our targets and, on 3 July, when we start our pre-season, they are here. If we don’t, it’s so difficult for them to help the team and then, during the season, you are going to pay.
“Maybe we need to sign the player in January and they can join in the summer.”
The Alli deal was conducted while Paul Mitchell was working for Spurs as head of recruitment, after following Pochettino from Southampton.
Mitchell, 36, left Tottenham last year after a more disappointing run of success subsequently, but Tottenham’s big mistake was failing to replace him.
Instead there has been more of a committee approach, which has made chairman Daniel Levy more hands on – and his liking for late deals has directed their business.
Spurs would go a long way to meeting Pochettino’s goals if they would find a new head of recruitment/director of football, whose specific job would be to target players.
History has shown at various clubs that the results can be hit and miss, but at least by giving greater focus to the role, Spurs could start being more proactive and get deals done early, as their manager wants.
Pochettino’s success so far at Spurs suggests chairman Daniel Levy should listen closely to his comments.
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