White Hart Lane: A quiet summer
(Baonghean.vn) - It seems that the investment in rebuilding White Hart Lane from a 36,000-seat stadium to a 61,000-seat stadium has made Tottenham owner Daniel Levy reluctant to spend money on buying players this summer.
Of the top five European football leagues, Serie A and the Premier League will shorten the summer transfer window to August 17, while all other leagues will maintain their usual plan until the end of August.
Coach Pochettino once again criticized this: "If compared to Europe, the Premier League is putting the clubs at a disadvantage. I don't know if the other teams are happy or not, but this situation is really disadvantageous, it does not help the Premier League clubs." Having said that, coach Mauricio Pochettino admitted that Tottenham may not sign any new players in this summer transfer window.
Budget Stuck
In fact, Tottenham Hotspur's home team had originally planned to make a move in the summer transfer window this year and they seemed to have set their sights on Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha.The former MU player is considered suitable for Tottenham's playing style. He can start as a winger and would be the perfect partner for Harry Kane, the most expensive star in England at the moment.
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| Tottenham are not buying players this summer because they are focusing on building White Hart Lane. Photo: Internet |
The Ivorian is under contract with Roy Hodgson's side until 2022, earning £100,000 a week, but Zaha has reportedly rejected a pay rise from his parent club in order to join a bigger club.
However, when Zaha was valued at around £70 million, Chairman Daniel Levy shook his head. The London club does not have a spare budget after investing £850 million to build a new stadium.
Tottenham are the only team in the Premier League's top six yet to make any new signings. Tottenham have had two good performances in the International Champions Cup, beating AS Roma 4-1 and only losing to Barcelona on penalties (drawing 2-2).
Pochettino and his team will play their final match in the US, against AC Milan, and then their final friendly against Girona in Spain on August 4. They will return to England and travel to Newcastle for their Premier League opener on August 11.
Shortage of forces
Tottenham were one of the teams most affected by the 2018 World Cup last summer, with 12 players, including nine who reached the semi-finals. The most wereManchester City (16 players), Real Madrid (15 players), Barcelona (14 players), Chelsea (14 players), Paris Saint-Germain and Paris Saint-Germain (both 12 players).
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| Coach Pochettino will face difficulties due to a lack of players at the beginning of the season. Photo: Internet |
Five Tottenham players have been called up to the England squad, the most a club has ever fielded. They are all key players for the Three Lions, including Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Danny Rose, Eric Dier and Dele Alli.
In addition, Hugo Lloris will represent France, Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Mousa Dembele have all been called up to the Belgian national team. Meanwhile, Davinson Sanchez, Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-min will represent Colombia, Denmark and South Korea respectively.
With nine starting players not being available for the Premier League opener away to Newcastle on August 11, and no new players being recruited, White Hart Lane fans are worried about their team.
Coach Pochettino himself admitted: "Last season, at this time, I could sit here and talk about a few names, but this season I really don't know. I don't know if we will sign anyone or not. Right now, I only know that the club's leadership is making some efforts."
