Belgians keen to work with Pochettino
Belgian World Cup duo Jan Vertinghen and Mousa Dembélé are pleased Tottenham have a new Head Coach and are looking forward to working with him.
Last season was a bit of a disaster. The 'Summer Seven' provided optimism that something could be in the air but Andre Villas-Boas couldn't get them out of defence mode and lost the confidence of the dressing room.
Along came Tim Sherwood who ruffled a few feathers and caused even more disharmony. Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen, Sandro, Paulinho, Étienne Capoue all made noises that indicated they were no happy, all but Hugo Lloris played like it too.
It was only ever to be an interim reign but after being rejected by Louis Van Gaal we plumped for Mauricio Pochettino having done extensive checks on him. No stone has been left unturned in trying to find out all they could about him to decide if he was the man to take the club forward in the long-term.
Now the 42 year-old Argentinian has an opportunity to create something lasting. There is the odd doubt, the fact that he has his favourites and if you are not in that circle you have little chance is a slight concern. He is now dealing with players on higher wages and some of them with ego's to match.
He has a quality squad that needs harmonising but also requires a few additions in key areas added. They are certainly better than they have shown before. If they buy into his philosophy and his system, and there is no reason why they shouldn't, then even a stronger top six should hold no fears.
Midfielder Mousa Dembélé revealed he was happy to have a new Head Coach but the 26 year-old suggested he wants to know what Pochettino's plans are before deciding whether he wants to stay at Tottenham.
He has no plans to leave and now no longer does his countryman Jan Vertonghen. The 27 year-old centre-back signed from Ajax looked totally disinterested under Tim Sherwood and few Spurs fans were pleased with his attitude. He questioned his future at the club but has since come out and made it clear he intends to stay.
Our third Belgian, 24 year-old Nacer Chadli, sought a loan move in January to get game time according to his agent, but according to him he didn't. At the end of the season he was looking forward to improving in a Spurs shirt next season.
Chadli will be one of the players Daniel Levy will be hoping his new Head Coach can improve, he has the attributes to be better than he has shown and doesn't seem shy of hard work. He could well benefit from the Argentinian's training, he could develop in a Lallana type way and role.
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In certain respects Tottenham have gone for similar managers, both Louis Van Gaal and Mauricio Pochettino are 'you do it my way' men. There is a hard side to the new Head Coach which may upset some, buying into his philosophy will be important but it's the new man who has to sell that philosophy to the players.
That will be his first test. Once results start to come and everyone is comfortable with the high energy system then the potential is there to achieve success and the opportunity for some players to take their game to the next level.
I have a sneaking suspicion that Nacer Chadli could be one such player.
Last season was a bit of a disaster. The 'Summer Seven' provided optimism that something could be in the air but Andre Villas-Boas couldn't get them out of defence mode and lost the confidence of the dressing room.
Along came Tim Sherwood who ruffled a few feathers and caused even more disharmony. Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen, Sandro, Paulinho, Étienne Capoue all made noises that indicated they were no happy, all but Hugo Lloris played like it too.
It was only ever to be an interim reign but after being rejected by Louis Van Gaal we plumped for Mauricio Pochettino having done extensive checks on him. No stone has been left unturned in trying to find out all they could about him to decide if he was the man to take the club forward in the long-term.
Now the 42 year-old Argentinian has an opportunity to create something lasting. There is the odd doubt, the fact that he has his favourites and if you are not in that circle you have little chance is a slight concern. He is now dealing with players on higher wages and some of them with ego's to match.
He has a quality squad that needs harmonising but also requires a few additions in key areas added. They are certainly better than they have shown before. If they buy into his philosophy and his system, and there is no reason why they shouldn't, then even a stronger top six should hold no fears.
Midfielder Mousa Dembélé revealed he was happy to have a new Head Coach but the 26 year-old suggested he wants to know what Pochettino's plans are before deciding whether he wants to stay at Tottenham.
“I have heard a lot of good stories about Pochettino so I hope it will be a good appointment.
“The style Southampton played under him was very impressive. Let’s hope it is going to be the same at Tottenham as well.
“Of course it’s good to have a change and a fresh start. We have a very good group of players and if we have a very good manager as well, then we can do big things.
“I hope I can fit in well under the new manager but we have to know what his plans are first.”
He has no plans to leave and now no longer does his countryman Jan Vertonghen. The 27 year-old centre-back signed from Ajax looked totally disinterested under Tim Sherwood and few Spurs fans were pleased with his attitude. He questioned his future at the club but has since come out and made it clear he intends to stay.
"It was good to speak to him but he has left me to focus on the World Cup now.
"We have all been very impressed by Southampton in the last year or two, impressed with the style they play and with their manager, so I think we made a good move to get him to Tottenham."
Our third Belgian, 24 year-old Nacer Chadli, sought a loan move in January to get game time according to his agent, but according to him he didn't. At the end of the season he was looking forward to improving in a Spurs shirt next season.
“At one time we were ten players for three positions, but I never panicked.
“We have all played together over sixty games. I think I’ve played in a little more than half. That’s not bad for my first season, but I think the Spurs fans will only get to see the real Chadli next season.”
Chadli will be one of the players Daniel Levy will be hoping his new Head Coach can improve, he has the attributes to be better than he has shown and doesn't seem shy of hard work. He could well benefit from the Argentinian's training, he could develop in a Lallana type way and role.
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In certain respects Tottenham have gone for similar managers, both Louis Van Gaal and Mauricio Pochettino are 'you do it my way' men. There is a hard side to the new Head Coach which may upset some, buying into his philosophy will be important but it's the new man who has to sell that philosophy to the players.
That will be his first test. Once results start to come and everyone is comfortable with the high energy system then the potential is there to achieve success and the opportunity for some players to take their game to the next level.
I have a sneaking suspicion that Nacer Chadli could be one such player.
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