The advent of the Christmas season also means that attention starts turning to the January transfer window. Tottenham have not done a lot of business in the January transfer window under manager Mauricio Pochettino but in an interview with the Guardian, he did have some things to say about Spurs’ transfer activity in general, and this upcoming transfer window in particular.
Pochettino said he would focus next month on trying to “take advantage of the English market and add an English player”, together with the drive to promote English youngsters from the academy. But he wants to use the winter transfer market to prepare for next season; to be a step ahead of his rivals after he felt the club failed to do so last summer.
“This summer was a very good example because we signed good players but it was so late and with no pre-season [for them], you pay,” Pochettino told the Guardian. “You then need six or seven months for the player to be fit, adapt himself in everything and that is always against us.
“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. It’s so important today to identify your targets for the summer. If not and we wait until May and before we sign, we sell, it’s so difficult to bring in players that can help.”
Spurs are renowned for the English core in their squad and we have been linked with moves for Ross Barkley and Luke Shaw. According to the Mirror, Pochettino is looking to beef up his squad with acquisitions of Manchester United’s Shaw and Everton’s Barkley next month.
The Spurs manager is a big admirer of Barkley, who is on the comeback trail following surgery on a ruptured hamstring. The Everton midfielder was linked with a move to Spurs in the summer; however, the deal failed to happen.
Shaw is another player who has been unfortunate with injuries plaguing his career; he has featured scarcely under manager Jose Mourinho. It is believed that Old Trafford chief Mourinho is prepared to sell him at the right price – especially with his interest in Tottenham’s Danny Rose.
Shaw, 22, would welcome regular first-team football as he bids to prove himself to England boss Gareth Southgate ahead of next summer’s World Cup in Russia.
By now we should not expect a whole lot of glitz and glamour in the January window but if Pochettino really wants “English talents”, he has to convince Chairman Daniel Levy to spend more.
https://youtu.be/iOPMnCQfZ8k
Now thats more like it ,Shaw and Barkley would be great but maureen will not sell to us