After back-to-back seasons struggling at the bottom of the Premier League table – with no guarantees as yet as to which division Spurs will be playing in next season – morale in and around the club is at its lowest.
Tottenham Have Major Problems On And Off The Pitch
The Tottenham supporters turned up in their droves to welcome the team to the stadium and produced an electric atmosphere inside the ground for last weekend’s crunch six-pointer with Nottingham Forest, only to see the players produce a dismal performance in a 3-0 defeat.
That show of support was not in-keeping with the general apathy towards the club in recent weeks and months, with supporters desperate for change, not just in the playing squad, but at the very top of the club, too.
The disconnect between the club and their fans is greater than it has been for many years and Pochettino is the man to bring everyone back together.
The Argentinian was a much-loved character in north London during his five-year spell from 2014 to 2019, turning Spurs into Premier League title challengers and even guiding the club to the final of the UEFA Champions League.
He may not be able to get everyone onside and singing from the same hymn sheet immediately, but his appointment would at least get a fanbase that has fallen out of love with their club back together and invested in the team once more. He is an easy figure for people to get behind, given his relationship with and clear love for the club. The fans sing his name at most matches, showing he is cherished still.
Could Spurs Make A Permanent Appointment Before The Season Ends?
Tottenham need to remain a Premier League club first and foremost and there are internal discussions about relieving Igor Tudor of his duties and bringing in a third different head coach this season.
Another interim appointment would be the obvious choice, but there has been talk around making a permanent appointment now and handing the new boss a huge bonus for keeping the club in the Premier League.
Roberto De Zerbi has been touted as an option, although the Italian is keen to wait until the summer to assess all of his options. Robbie Keane has also been named, and while he could come in as an interim appointment, the Irishman is keen on a permanent role if he was to leave Ferencvaros. Sean Dyche has also emerged as a potential candidate, with Spurs considering an SOS call to the former Burnley, Everton and Nottingham Forest boss.
The problem with Pochettino has always been that he is contracted to the US Men’s National Team until the end of the World Cup and therefore not available to join Spurs – should they want him – until some time in July. Pochettino has a huge job on his hands this summer, guiding the USA at their home tournament, although there have been suggestions that he could do what Michael O’Neill has done in being in charge of Northern Ireland and Blackburn Rovers and complete a job share and get Tottenham out of trouble in the meantime, before focusing all his energy on the USA.
The USA set out to appoint a “world-class” coach when making the decision to give the job to Pochettino and GIVEMESPORT understands the USA would be reluctant to allow him to take up any sort of job share with Spurs, particularly right now, in the midst of an international break when they play Belgium and Portugal.
Pochettino Is Not A Short-Term Fix For Tottenham
Tottenham need someone to focus all their energy on the Lilywhites and their bid to avoid relegation, something Pochettino could not do in a job share.
Then there’s Pochettino’s early record in jobs.
In his first year as US head coach he was criticised for the way the team were playing and the results they were getting. He had the same when he took over at Spurs in 2014, even going so far as to say he feared he would have to pack his bags and leave until a win over Aston Villa turned things around.
His start to life at Chelsea did not exactly go smoothly, although he did turn things around and manage to get the Blues into European competition by the end of the campaign, something that had looked highly unlikely for much of the season.
Pochettino is undoubtedly an excellent manager and is the right appointment for the long-term in N17, but Spurs need results now and Pochettino may not be able to deliver.
Arsenal have placed an official bid to sign wonderkid Jeremy Monga from Leicester City, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The Gunners have been linked with a move for the 16-year-old for some time now, with reports of an offer emerging as early as last month.
Monga, who has been compared to Ousmane Dembele and described as a ‘deadly’ finisher, is expected to leave the Foxes this summer following their relegation to League One, despite having broken into the first-team as a 15-year-old.
And Arsenal have shown the keenest interest in him, with talks progressing over the last few weeks between the Gunners and his representatives over a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Now, according to Romano, Arsenal have lodged an official bid to sign the 16-year-old winger. He tweeted: “Arsenal sent official bid to Leicester City to get Jeremy Monga deal done. 16-year-old winger keen on joining #AFC and deal moving quickly now with optimism to sign #LCFC talent, seen as huge prospect for the future.”
Newcastle were hoping to land the young talent, but while they were trying to lower his fee, the Reds stormed in to agree to his £34.6million release clause, and the deal is as good as done. When Muñoz will agree personal terms remains to be seen, given he is busy at the World Cup with Spain, but Liverpool will be confident of striking a deal, especially with a Spanish boss now in place.
Liverpool are not done there
Ken Blaze (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
It was unclear how bold Liverpool would be in this transfer window, given their huge spend and lack of return last summer, but the questions are now being answered. The Reds are already closing in on an exciting young talent in Muñoz, and that is only going to be the start of their business, according to a fresh report.
Football Insider claim Muñoz will be the first of five new signings this summer, with a central midfielder, centre-back, right-back and right-winger all required by Iraola.
The right-winger and centre-back signings will come as no surprise, given the exits of Ibrahima Konate and Mohamed Salah this summer. Meanwhile, many have called for more options in the middle of the park, while Conor Bradley battling his way back from a serious injury issue looks to be forcing the Reds to add more depth at right-back.
Muñoz can play on the right-wing, and he is a right-footer, but he has traditionally played on the left, liking to cut inside.
Shearer’s Reds warning
Speaking to Betfair last week, Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer warned that Liverpool need to recruit heavily in this summer’s transfer window. “Liverpool are going to have to go again in the transfer market,” he said. “Mohamed Salah’s gone, so they obviously need someone to replace him.
“They’ve also got Rio Ngumoha, who’s obviously a great talent, but for the future.So Liverpool need several players, I think, if they want to compete again at the very top. And certainly, in wide positions, they’re going to have to strengthen.
“I’m not surprised with who they’re being linked with, like Diomande and Barcola. I guess it’s only a matter of time before that, that would be the position that they announce.”
Tottenham are still said to be firmly in the race for one of the most in-demand Premier League players this summer. Spurs have already made a solid start to their summer business, with Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson snapped up, and attention is now firmly on continuing to strengthen with further signings.
Spurs and Roberto De Zerbi are hoping to compete for European football next season, and while there is existing talent in the squad, it’s no easy task to go from back-to-back bottom half finishes to a top seven finish. Heavy recruitment is going to be required, and it looks as though that is what the Tottenham board intend to deliver.
Spurs still in Wharton race
via Reuters
One of the most intriguing Premier League transfer narratives this summer is where Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton is going to end up. The midfielder is expected to be on the move for big money having consistently impressed with the Eagles, and we are beginning to get a clearer picture of where he could end up.
According to FlashScore, both Tottenham and Liverpool remain firmly interested in Wharton this summer. In fact, it’s claimed Spurs view Wharton as one of their primary targets this summer. That’s despite ongoing talks over the potential permanent transfer of Joao Palhinha.
The North London club lose Yves Bissouma this summer, so it’s logical they will try to sign another midfielder or two, and there are also links with Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali, who would likely be a Wharton alternative. Spurs are said to have been tracking Wharton for at least a year, remaining patient in timing their move.
Liverpool are also said to be keen, though, and they are said to view Wharton and AFC Bournemouth’s Alex Scott as their main targets for the midfield, although it will be one or the other. The Reds seek a midfielder capable of controlling the midfield.
‘Exceptional’ Wharton’s price and attraction
Wharton is likely to cost a huge fee this summer, with £100million floated as a reported Palace asking price. Though Premier League clubs might be confident of reducing that fee to around £80million despite the midfielder having three years remaining on his current deal.
Eberechi Eze joined Arsenal for £67.5million in a club-record sale for Palace, and so £80million would be a fresh record, and Wharton could push for an exit if the right club comes in this summer, which would weaken Palace’s leverage at the negotiations table.
But Wharton is always going to command a giant fee given his Premier League experience and his proven ability to thrive in huge games for club and country, while he is still only 22 years of age. Micah Richards dubbed Wharton ‘exceptional’ last year, and most connected to Palace and the Premier League would agree.
