This summer, Tottenham Hotspur became the only club not to sign a single player in the history of the summer transfer window, in its current iteration. They also did not sell a single player this past window. Their silent summer has been met with, of course, widespread detraction.
Although, there are some out there who praised it, including Jose Mourinho. At this point, it’s clear that Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is long sick of hearing about it. He’s also grown very tired of discussing it. While the deadline has passed for the club to add to their roster, players can still leave, as there are a few countries whose windows are still open until the end of the month.
Players rumored to be on the trading block and/or wanting out include Toby Alderweireld, Danny Rose, Vincent Janssen and Mousa Dembele. After Saturday’s 3-1 win over Fulham, Pochettino said that no players want to leave. He ended this set of remarks with some really tough talk.
“Players that are not happy, from my point of view, everyone can leave, then it’s different if they can negotiate with Daniel (Levy) and be agreed,” he said.
“For me, I want players who are fully committed with the team and want to fight for the team. The players that are here are all committed. Not one told me today that they wanted to find a solution (to exit Spurs). If I am here, in my position like a manager, it’s because the club trusts in my decision, not because I am so handsome.”
“I understand every single situation. I understand agents, I understand everything, that football becomes a business, a big business too, and (all clubs must) protect their asset. There’s a lot of things that I can say, but I promise you I’m not going to waste time talking about individual situations.”
“It’s not going to change. You’re not going to put pressure on me, or put pressure on my decision. Nobody is going to blackmail me. The club is not going to put pressure on me. I want to enjoy football, I promise you.”
The last part of that passage almost sounded like dialogue from a movie about the mob. Asked about Alderweireld specifically, Pochettino offered this response:
“Many things have happened in the past. I am so tired to talk. I understand players that don’t play can be disappointed. I am not going to waste time talking about individual situations.
“When players sign a contract, they sign to be available and show the manager they are set to play.”
Finally, Pochettino had some very strong words for any unhappy players that want out of the club.
“Players that don’t play need to wait until I am sacked or go elsewhere to find a solution. I am so open if players want to leave, but if they are going to be here I want all commitment, if not we can find a solution,” he said.
“I am so tired to talk about if some players aren’t happy or some players want to leave. Of course every player if they don’t play will be disappointed.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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