West Brom striker Jay Rodriguez has revealed in an updated edition of Mauricio Pochettino’s autobiography that he is in regular contact with the Tottenham manager and his coaching staff.
The 29-year-old played under Pochettino at Southampton and the Daily Telegraph report he is being considered by Spurs as a replacement this month for Fernando Llorente along with Liverpool’s Divock Origi and Hull City’s Jarrod Bowen.
Brave New World: Inside Pochettino’s Spurs, the behind-the-scenes story at the club in the manager’s own words, was updated at the end of last year and includes a chapter (p. 298-99) from Rodriguez on the manager he claims has been a massive influence on his career.
“As a person he gave me that belief, he always believed in me. You feel invincible,” Rodriguez said of Pochettino, while also revealing his relationships with coaches Jesus Perez, Tony Jimenez and Miguel D’Agostini. “We keep in touch and send messages to each other. Sometimes he (Pochettino) will send me a clip of myself in training just as an encouragement to keep on going.
“He’s still a big part of me, he still gives me confidence. He still believes in me. I think he is the best.”
OPINION
Rodriguez makes it abundantly clear he’s a massive admirer of Pochettino and a man-management style which has won favour with virtually every major player he has ever coached. The Argentine understands the importance of encouragement and support, and goes way beyond his job description by even lifting the supports of players at rival clubs. Adam Lallana and Luke Shaw, two other players Pochettino coached at Southampton, have also spoken of how they keep in touch with the Spurs boss and the massive influence he still has on them. Could Pochettino now make a late-January swoop for Rodriguez, at a time when Harry Kane is out for two months and his club are searching for a replacement for Llorente? That is certainly a possibility. The former Saints and Burnley striker has had a mighty fine campaign, scoring 13 league goals from 27 appearances, but he turns 30 in July and has been playing in the Championship. It is a deal that Spurs could pull off, but surely they should be setting their sights higher.