Tottenham Hotspur will move into their new stadium at the start of the 2018/19 season.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
During a wide-ranging interview with Spanish newspaper Marca, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino explained how the club’s building of their new stadium will have a detrimental effect on their ability to invest heavily in the playing squad.
Despite Tottenham being the only remaining unbeaten side in the Premier League this season, Pochettino has found himself to be the target of heavy criticism, after a succession of insipid displays that culminated in their elimination form the Champions League on Tuesday night.
And the Argentine sat down for an interview with Spanish media outlet Marca, highlighting how Spurs’ move to their new ground will have an adverse effect on player recruitment, in the short-term at least:
“It is true that in the process of this club, with the construction of the new stadium, it somewhat limits the possibilities to invest more in the team. There are other teams like City, Arsenal, Chelsea, United or Liverpool who have the advantage. This is another project, another story. What we must do is make smart decisions to be competitive and fight with clubs like the aforementioned.”
Spurs can take inspiration from Arsenal’s successful move to the Emirates in 2006
Pochettino’s words will surely be met with frustration from Tottenham fans, who were left disappointed by their club’s European exit in mid-week, after a perceived lack of quality amongst their side.
Spurs do not need to look far to gain inspiration from a team who maintained their competitiveness whilst moving to a new stadium.
Arsenal made the move to the Emirates in 2006, and had to tighten the purse strings in regards to player recruitment, yet have still managed to finish inside the top four since the switch, and are now once again in a very healthy financial state.
Whilst the future looks bright for Tottenham, the next couple of years could very well be rather more challenging than their fans imagined.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
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