Three men to fill Pochettino’s ‘specific striker’ role at Spurs
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Spurs coach Mauricio Pochettino gave the press a fascinating little insight into his potential January transfer plans, with a true number nine to compete with in-form England striker Harry Kane clearly the object of the gaffer’s desires.
Talking to the Press Association, Pochettino said:
“We have offensive players who can play like Harry. There is Sonny or Chadli or Clinton – they can play like a striker…But maybe it’s true. I recognise they are not a specific striker so maybe we work to try to find such a player we can add in the next transfer window or in the summer to try help the team.”
There aren’t too many of those available Mauricio, but the three below might be persuaded.
Michy Batshuayi
The best case scenario for Spurs (not least because he’s Belgian!) would be snagging on-fire Marseille forward Batshuayi, who trails just two men, Paris Saint Germain’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Lorient’s Benjamin Moukandjo, in the Ligue 1 scoring charts this term, with 10 goals.
Alas, there’s talk of Chelsea and Arsenal sniffing around, with the fee potentially as high as £25m – an unlikely sum in January, but White Hart Lane’s blossoming Belgian contingent would be sold as a positive if such a move were in the offing.
Saido Berahino
A rumour that won’t go away has sprung up again ahead of the Lilywhites’ trip to the Hawthornes, with Pochettino’s men 17/20 to continue their impressive recent form in triumph.
Berahino’s bitter twitter fallout with Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace in September, after a proposed move to Spurs failed to materialise, prefaced a patchy run of three goals in 11 Premier League games so far this term, and the Burundi-born England youth has started the past three matches on the bench.
His value may now have depreciated to a level where Spurs can do business, but Pochettino will surely be asking himself whether Berahino is ultimately worth the bother.
Charlie Austin
Judging by Pochettino’s quotes, Spurs feel they have plenty of quick wingers who can score goals, but could really use an out-and-out number nine to mix and match with Kane.
If that’s not Charlie Austin, who is it? The likes of Robert Lewandowski and Anthony Martial (if he’s all that) aren’t heading to the Lane any time soon.
Newcastle and Sunderland are thought to be making the running for Austin’s signature in January, when QPR will be forced to drop their £15m asking price ahead of the 26-year-old’s contract running out next summer.
From his description of the required player, Pochettino could use a Charlie Austin around.
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