Tottenham signed no players for the second straight transfer window
Saturday 2 February 2019 17:25, UK
Jamie Redknapp wonders what Tottenham could become if they pushed harder in the transfer market and with their wage bill.
Tottenham's 1-0 win over Newcastle at Wembley on Saturday came days after the transfer window shut, the second straight window Mauricio Pochettino has not signed a single player.
According to the 2017 UEFA European club benchmark report, Spurs' wage bill of £130m is also a considerable distance behind the other top six Premier League sides, prompting Redknapp to wonder just how far they could go with more spending, as well as praising Pochettino for the job he has done.
"Look at the manager, I find him amazing, what he does there. Not bringing any players in the last two windows, and to be competing where they are is pretty incredible, compared to what other teams spend.
"If I was a Spurs fan, I'd be thinking: 'Why don't we go that extra mile to bring a couple of players in?'
"It is hard to strengthen that first eleven, I get that, but if you look at what Manchester City do. They have David Silva, they go and bring in Bernardo Silva, to get an extra player in, maybe for the future.
"Tottenham not having that strength of depth, at vital times, is difficult. I personally think if they pushed, what could they become? The manager does such a good job, I really like him.
"If [players] know they can go and get three times as much at Manchester City, you're going to go there rather than Tottenham, that's just a fact. If they really want to kick on, that's what you have to do."
Tottenham were knocked out of both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in late January, without their star striker Harry Kane through injury, but have a Champions League last 16 double-header against Borussia Dortmund to come.
Redknapp feels Pochettino fits Spurs, and vice versa, but says every year that goes by without silverware is a wasted opportunity.
"It fits, not just for the manager, but for the owner. If you've got an owner who is not keen on spending the big wages, and a manager keen on bringing young players into the equation... Some managers will say: 'I need players, numbers around me to thicken up the squad.'
"It doesn't always work, but because you've got a manager who they trust and love so much, it shows you what you can achieve. He's of the opinion: 'Unless they're better than what I've got, why sign them?'
"It's important for this club to be winning trophies. Every year that goes by it feels like a wasted opportunity and an excuse for players to go somewhere else."
