Last of the big spenders

Mauricio Pochettino always comes across like a reasonable, well-adjusted member of society. We should be thankful. A less measured individual might be tempted to use his rivals’ superior spending power as an excuse for a bloody good moan. Not everyone, I guess, has José Mourinho’s gift for creating public drama.

There are times when the mask slips, of course: ‘It’s frustrating for the club and of course for myself too because you cannot sign the player that you want,’ the Argentine coach told reporters last weekend, reflecting on Spurs’ cautious approach to the transfer market.

But it’s a quirk of the job he must have long since come to terms with. Last summer saw heavy investment in some key areas. Ivorian right-back Serge Aurier was bought in to replace Kyle Walker for a not insignificant £23million. Davinson Sánchez and Fernando Llorente were both high-priced purchases for their respective ages. Although the Colombian is looking more of a bargain with each passing game.

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January, however, is often a different story for Tottenham. Barcelona might be equipped to break Spanish records in the winter window and Man City won’t think twice about strengthening an already formidable squad at a cost. But Spurs are notoriously reluctant spenders.

Dele Alli, back in 2015, was the last time the North London club made any moves in January— and even that was repackaged as a loan deal back to MK Dons for the remainder of the season.

Thinking outside the box

With Pochettino fully aware of the club’s limitations, then, but also open to the idea of rounding up new recruits. Where might Tottenham go in search of value?

Well, we can rule out Bordeaux winger, Malcom. £45million for a relatively unproven 20-year-old doesn’t sound like the kind of margins Daniel Levy would be interested in. It looks like Arsenal might be at the front of that particular queue.

Perhaps Pochettino would be encouraged to look to the lower leagues again. Dele Alli is shining example of the quality that can be found below the Premier League waterline.

The Championship’s finest

Diogo Jota has taken the Championship by storm this season. It’s no wonder Wolves are trying to turn his loan move from Atlético Madrid into a permanent one. It seems unlikely that the Portuguese midfielder would bin off a League winners medal in order to join Spurs mid-season. I’m not even sure it’d be legal. But Toby Alderweireld was signed in (kind of) similar circumstances and that’s good enough for me.

Elsewhere, Bristol City striker Bobby Reid looks to have all the qualities to thrive in a Mauricio Pochettino team. No Championship forward has made more tackles this season than the Bristolian. Reid, a converted midfielder, leads the line for Lee Johnson’s side tirelessly. As well as his ability to press, the 24-year-old is a capable finisher. 11 goals in all competitions for Reid this campaign. Including one against Man City from the spot, as you might remember.

Would he be more useful than Fernando Llorente? Almost certainly.