It
would never have happened in ‘Arry’s day, a quiet January? Do such things
happen in London? Well, it appears so. ......................................................................... arsenal
On
a day which normally sees plenty of action, there were only a handful of
players coming in and out of Mauricio Pochettino’s squad, but could it be a
trick missed as they look to stake a claim for a top four finish?
The
only player brought into the squad was highly-rated MK Dons youngster Dele
Alli, who was immediately loaned back to his former club for the rest of the
season. The midfielder will certainly be one for the future having made 76
appearances for the League One outfit despite only approaching his 19th
birthday, but with five players heading out of the club, perhaps there was more
scope for additions at the Lane, particularly coming out of the summer
£10million in profit.
Yevhen Konoplyanka
One
of the transfer rumours
which Spurs fans would have loved to see plastered all over the back pages was Yevhen Konoplyanka
and he would have been perfect for a side that has seen great success with
wingers this season, with the likes of Nacir Chadli and Erik Lamela impressing.
The
Ukranian international has been continually linked with Spurs, although with
his contract at Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk up in June, Pochettino could be waiting
until the end of the season to make a pounce for the 25-year-old.
A
move this January could have been another string in Tottenham’s bow, being the
feeder for Harry Kane, and banging in a few himself, something he’s well
capable of.
Emmanuel Emenike
There’s
no denying Spurs need a striker
right now, with only Harry Kane pulling his weight up top. They couldn’t get
rid of Adebayor in January, and Roberto Soldado has just four goals to his name
this season.
Emenike
appeared to be the answer Spurs were looking for and just a snip for £15million,
but a deal was never done for the Fenerbahce man. It could be a costly move for
Pochettino, particularly if Kane was to pick up an injury over the final months
of the season.
Bookmakers such as 365 Bet already have the side behind Southampton and Liverpool to finish top four as
well as Manchester United and Arsenal, and if they were to miss Kane’s goals,
could find them sliding even further down the pecking order.
Adrien Rabiot
Adrien
Rabiot looked all set to join
the North London club on loan, signing one of PSG’s most exciting talents, but
pulled out as to not upset their relationship with PSG President Nasser Al
Khelaifi.
The
central midfielder has a clause in his contract automatically allowing him to
go on loan until the end of the season, and it seemed the 19-year-old was keen
with the promise of more playing time. He’ll certainly be one for the future
and is well worth keeping an eye on, but for the meantime he’ll be plying his
trade in Ligue 1.
Pochettino
seems very clear on his squad this season, and have picked up some fantastic
results of late with only Crystal Palace blemishing their record. You’d have to
be worried about their top four place though should any of their attacking
talents pick up a long-term injury, and with games now coming thick and fast it
could well happen.
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