OPINION
Daily Mail journalist Ian Ladyman has made an unexpected revelation about Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino and Jack Grealish, saying he was “never really sold” on the Villa man.
Ladyman was talking on Twitter on Monday and started off the discussion by saying that Pochettino had money to spend and has “chosen not to spend it”.
One fan said that he wanted Grealish but that Daniel Levy wouldn’t stretch to the figure that Villa wanted.
However, Ladyman made the Pochettino revelation and said that it was “other people at the club” that were more keen on him and another reported target, Ross Barkley.
This comes after a protracted summer chase that led Grealish to believe he would be joining Tottenham. In an interview with the Telegraph he said he was “95% sure” that he would be joining Tottenham.
For all the talk of the stadium, Levy parsimony etc, there is money for Pochettino to spend. He has chosen not to spend it, placing faith instead in his squad and his own ability as a coach. It’s admirable but has it worked? There is certainly a debate to be had.
— Ian Ladyman (@Ian_Ladyman_DM) January 27, 2019
He was never really sold on Greaiish. Same with Barkley. Other people at club were more keen than him. He is very fussy and won’t buy players for sake of it. And that’s not necessarily a criticism. But I think someone like Shaqiri (£13m) is kind of player that adds depth.
— Ian Ladyman (@Ian_Ladyman_DM) January 27, 2019
There’s a lot about this that Tottenham fans will hate.
For starters, who is really deciding which players should join the club? Tottenham fans would imagine that Pochettino is in control of transfers and tend to look to Daniel Levy as the reason for moves not happening.
However, Ladyman hints that Pochettino has a very specific view of who he wants and would rather make do with what he’s got than sign players for the sake of it.
It looks like he might have been overruled over Grealish, although his lack of interest could have caused the deal to break down.
However, surely, if the players he wants aren’t available, then Tottenham need to widen the net?
Most fans would say that the club needs to bring in new players and the recent injury crisis has made the squad look super-thin.
Many Spurs fans were gutted that the Grealish transfer broke down last summer, but this might make them look at it in a different light entirely.