The Irishman would not have been a better option than the summer signing from AZ Alkmaar.
Republic of Ireland’s Shane Long
In the summer Tottenham Hotspur were on the hunt for another striker. In the hunt for a back-up to Harry Kane they scouted many players. Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino was spotted attending an international fixture in May.
The Spurs manager was at the game between the Republic of Ireland and Holland.
It immediately led to speculation on Twitter that he was keeping tabs on Southampton striker Shane Long. The Irishman had a great season with The Saints and was mentioned as a potential Spurs target before. He even scored in the game, catching the eye of the Argentinian.
But it was in fact Vincent Janssen of Holland that Tottenham were looking at, and they signed him from AZ Alkmaar in the summer.
Tottenham’s Vincent Janssen in action
That move has not proved to be a success, with Janssen scoring just six times for the club and only once from open play.
But at least Pochettino can take solace in the fact that Long has not done any better. The Saints striker has scored just five times for the club this season in what has been a disappointing personal campaign.
Janssen however has some years on Long and can hopefully go on to have a fruitful career at Spurs next season.
That or it seems Pochettino may have been scouting the wrong game.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
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