Mauricio Pochettino has revealed he has told his players they will all be given a fresh start this season, suggesting Toby Alderweireld could stay at Tottenham beyond the European transfer deadline at the end of the month.
The Premier League’s transfer window closed on August 9th, just a day before the new campaign got underway – Spurs got off to a winning start with a 2-1 win at Newcastle United on Saturday.
Alderweireld had been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United over the summer, but the clubs failed to come to an agreement.
The Belgian could still leave Tottenham by the end of the month, though, with the transfer windows in Spain, Italy and France set to close on August 31st.
Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have been mooted as potential destinations for Alderweireld in the past, but neither club has been tipped to make a definite move for the defender this month.
And now, Pochettino has hinted the likes of Alderweireld and Mousa Dembele – who had been expected to depart this summer – could be given a fresh start and an opportunity to fight for a place in the starting line-up.
“I told them yesterday (Friday) for me it’s like we start from zero. I asked them with the possibility that they are going to have they need to trust,” Pochettino told football.london.
“All the players who want to stay in Tottenham they need to show their commitment and their commitment until the end is not one week, two weeks, one month.
“If they choose to stay in Tottenham the rules are so clear. The manager decides who plays, names or no names, who deserves is going to be on the pitch.”
It remains impossible to rule out an exit for Alderweireld, but it now seems genuinely possible the 29-year-old could still be a Spurs player come September.
Toby should stay. He has been superb in the back line. For me, subject to form, our best back 4 are Kieran, Toby, Jan and Danny. All the best for the new season.
I have been a Spurs supporter since 1946 and I long for a repeat of 1961 !!!!
Good luck to you all.