- May 17, 2005
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It's plain enough that Pochettino has general preferences, but is willing to make exceptions: young; strong; willing to train like a mad thing. But I think there is one area where he does not compromise, which is the personality and attitude of the player and his willingness to take instruction and fit into the greater team.
I've rarely seen a manager who has a clearer plan and strategy for building a squad.
Every manager wants strong personalities & team building attitudes in their squad, the question is whether he can pick 'em. I think Pochettino has a reasonably good record of signings since his time in England. The odd stinker like Osvaldo is offset by the truly important ones like Alderweireld. Nobody can expect every signing to work out, so the key is to maintain a majority that do.
Hopefully Sissoko will be more Dier-like than Njie like. You'd have thought if he really wanted that particular 30 million midfielder he'd have just gone for him at a time when he didn't seem like a fall back option?