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Pochettino's Transfer record

LexingtonSpurs

Well-Known Member
Aug 27, 2013
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In an effort to keep this discussion out of the ITK thread, use this thread to discuss the relative pro's and con's of Pochettino's transfers.

As near as I can tell, Spurs have signed 16 players since Poch became manager. To keep this simple, I'll assume that he gets credit when one works out, and gets blame when one does nto work out - setting aside the details of the inner-workings of the transfer committee, and whether these were Poch's first choice, or last choice.

Transfer Winners - 8

Dier
Dele
Alderweireld
Wanyama
Son
Trippier
Davies
Vorm

Each of these 8 players remain at the club and have contributed greatly to its recent success. Of these, only Son would be considered "expensive". I think we got lucky with Dele and Dier - but you can also say that we made our own luck by scouting, and convincing both to come to Spurs.

Mixed Bag - 2

Janssen
Wimmer

I would not call either a winner nor a loser at this point. Wimmer played well when called upon in 15/16, but struggled to get matches this season, particularly when we moved to 3 at the back. Seems like a bad fit for that role - but when we bought him it was to back up Vertonghen as the LB in a CB pairing - I think he still has a good future in that role. Janssen struggled, but he was also thrust into the spotlight earlier than expected with Kane's injury, and I think that contributed to his year-long struggles. He deserves a second year to see how he adapts.


Gambles that did not pay off - 2
N'Jie
N'Koudou

We were looking for a particular style of player here, but for whatever reason, neither player seems to have been able to acclimate to EPL. Not unusual for players to struggle, but these are close to misses for the scouting department. I don't rate these transfers as total losses though, as they were low priced gambles, and they were fringe needs - i.e. we were not trying to fill an important role with these signing.

Transfer Losers - 4

Yedlin
Stambouli
Fazio
Sissoko

These players never made an impact with Spurs, though Fazio had a few good moments. Nonetheless, Spurs made profits on the sale of Yedlin and Stambouli, and Yedlin, Stambouli and Fazio have enjoyed success at their new clubs. Fazio and Stambouli were poor fits with Poch's tactics, and Yedlin was not ready to contribute when we bought him (Yedlin maybe belongs in the gambles that did not pay off category instead of an outright loser). Sissoko seems like a panicked buy in retrospect.


If I am being honest - Sissoko is the only real bust in Poch's tenure. Expensive player, not suitable to Poch's tactics, and seems to be the result of not getting first choices in, rather than good scouting. 1 bad buy out of 16 is an acceptable ratio.
 

Ron Burgundy

SC Supporter
Jun 19, 2008
7,705
23,267
I actually think that's a pretty damn good track record in this day and age

Just think of the increase in value of that top box as a measure of the overall success

Some great buys, and many of which surprised me to be fair - Wanyama being chief among them. He's top class now
 

Ossie85

Rio de la Plata
Aug 2, 2008
3,916
13,215
The difference between Nkoudou and Janssen is chances.

Performance wise Nkoudou was better than Janssen imo, in the little time he was given

Unfair to treat him as a failure after so little game time
 

LexingtonSpurs

Well-Known Member
Aug 27, 2013
13,456
39,042
The difference between Nkoudou and Janssen is chances.

Performance wise Nkoudou was better than Janssen imo, in the little time he was given

Unfair to treat him as a failure after so little game time
I'm happy to give him another year - not writing him off completely. But, its hard to see where he fits when everyone is healthy. I think its obvious Poch is looking for a quick player who can attack defenders - just not sure we have found the right player for that role yet.
 

sly1

Well-Known Member
Sep 25, 2004
451
1,270
I am finding to hard to understand how anyone can make the case that Nkoudou has been more of a failure than Janssen. Janssen cost more and has looked worse on the pitch.

That said, I haven't written either of the players off yet, so hopefully at least one of them will improve if they're still here next year.
 

Everlasting Seconds

Well-Known Member
Jan 9, 2014
14,914
26,616
I largely agree with this list now, after the latest season. I'd move Wimmer to another category, but I never had faith in the first place. Calling Pochettino's record a 50/50 seems plausible at this point. However, to put the stats in a different light, after 3 summer transfer windows before this summer: 25% of signings are definite starters, 25% are maybe starters and 50% wouldn't even come near the bench. Now, to me, the vital trick is to improve on these figures, and be smarter than other clubs. Fewer complete catastrophes and more really cunning moves.
 

Shadydan

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2012
38,247
104,143
Janssen and Nkoudou aren't failures though, it's too premature to write either of them off.
 

Everlasting Seconds

Well-Known Member
Jan 9, 2014
14,914
26,616
To make this a fun exercise, which predictions did you all give these players during the rumours or when the signing was announced?

Dier – Didn't know much about him, thought he seemed like an interesting signing.
Dele – Trusted Jay's view on him and thought he'd become a good player.
Alderweireld – Didn't think he would fit without major overhaul of the defensive system.
Wanyama – Was excited for this signing and supported it all the way.

Son – Was very excited, became then very disappointed and I think that describes him the best.
Trippier – Thought he would overtake Walker as first choice. He has come close enough to at least frustrate Walker.
Davies – Saw no need for him. He hasn't proven himself until this spring. Well done him, I'm excited to have him.
Vorm – Saw no need for him.

Janssen — Thought he would need at least the first 6 months to settle in and that we would have no need for him for a large part of the season, but that he would more or less prove to be worthy of getting a second season with us. Been a big advocate for him after signing.
Wimmer – Saw no need for him, and thought signing him was a decision on a whim.
N'Jie – Thought he was too raw for PL and would need a lot of work on his first touch.
N'Koudou – Saw no need for him, would rather keep N'Jie.

Yedlin — Relatively excited.
Stambouli – Relatively excited.
Fazio – Genuinely thought we had a need for him and I was quite excited.
Sissoko – Condemned this from the start and saw it only as a misplaced panic signing.
 
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beats1

Well-Known Member
Feb 22, 2010
30,006
29,551
In an effort to keep this discussion out of the ITK thread, use this thread to discuss the relative pro's and con's of Pochettino's transfers.

As near as I can tell, Spurs have signed 16 players since Poch became manager. To keep this simple, I'll assume that he gets credit when one works out, and gets blame when one does nto work out - setting aside the details of the inner-workings of the transfer committee, and whether these were Poch's first choice, or last choice.

Transfer Winners - 8

Dier
Dele
Alderweireld
Wanyama
Son
Trippier
Davies
Vorm

Each of these 8 players remain at the club and have contributed greatly to its recent success. Of these, only Son would be considered "expensive". I think we got lucky with Dele and Dier - but you can also say that we made our own luck by scouting, and convincing both to come to Spurs.

Mixed Bag - 2

Janssen
Wimmer

I would not call either a winner nor a loser at this point. Wimmer played well when called upon in 15/16, but struggled to get matches this season, particularly when we moved to 3 at the back. Seems like a bad fit for that role - but when we bought him it was to back up Vertonghen as the LB in a CB pairing - I think he still has a good future in that role. Janssen struggled, but he was also thrust into the spotlight earlier than expected with Kane's injury, and I think that contributed to his year-long struggles. He deserves a second year to see how he adapts.


Gambles that did not pay off - 2
N'Jie
N'Koudou

We were looking for a particular style of player here, but for whatever reason, neither player seems to have been able to acclimate to EPL. Not unusual for players to struggle, but these are close to misses for the scouting department. I don't rate these transfers as total losses though, as they were low priced gambles, and they were fringe needs - i.e. we were not trying to fill an important role with these signing.

Transfer Losers - 4

Yedlin
Stambouli
Fazio
Sissoko

These players never made an impact with Spurs, though Fazio had a few good moments. Nonetheless, Spurs made profits on the sale of Yedlin and Stambouli, and Yedlin, Stambouli and Fazio have enjoyed success at their new clubs. Fazio and Stambouli were poor fits with Poch's tactics, and Yedlin was not ready to contribute when we bought him (Yedlin maybe belongs in the gambles that did not pay off category instead of an outright loser). Sissoko seems like a panicked buy in retrospect.


If I am being honest - Sissoko is the only real bust in Poch's tenure. Expensive player, not suitable to Poch's tactics, and seems to be the result of not getting first choices in, rather than good scouting. 1 bad buy out of 16 is an acceptable ratio.
Dier, Yedlin and Dele were pretty much signed before, he deserves credit for making them the players they are, as I dont think they would necessarily be a success at a different club

However if this is a exercise to show that poch has a good eye then it should be assumed that poch became in charge of transfer in the last two seasons or last season really

If its an exercise to show what players poch has got the best out of, then this list is fair
 
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Gbspurs

Gatekeeper for debates, King of the plonkers
Jan 27, 2011
26,945
61,824
The winner far out weigh the losers. I would take 1 Alli and 3 Fazios every transfer window probably!
 

Sum Monsterism

Looking for an anecdote
Jun 12, 2012
5,311
10,696
Yeah and, err... These are players signed after discussion betwixt the committee - so not really Poch's issue alone, one way or t'other.

By the way: 2nd place called. It reminded us that we just got our best ever PL finish and that we shouldn't be niggled by having speculated on some transfers that didn't work out in the end.

You joyous old moany gits

.
To make this a fun exercise, which predictions did you all give these players during the rumours or when the signing was announced?

Dier – Didn't know much about him, thought he seemed like an interesting signing.
Dele – Trusted Jay's view on him and thought he'd become a good player.
Alderweireld – Didn't think he would fit without major overhaul of the defensive system.
Wanyama – Was excited for this signing and supported it all the way.

Son – Was very excited, became then very disappointed and I think that describes him the best.
Trippier – Thought he would overtake Walker as first choice. He has come close enough to at least frustrate Walker.
Davies – Saw no need for him. He hasn't proven himself until this spring. Well done him, I'm excited to have him.
Vorm – Saw no need for him.

Janssen — Thought he would need at least the first 6 months to settle in and that we would have no need for him for a large part of the season, but that he would more or less prove to be worthy of getting a second season with us. Been a big advocate for him after signing.
Wimmer – Saw no need for him, and thought signing him was a decision on a whim.
N'Jie – Thought he was too raw for PL and would need a lot of work on his first touch.
N'Koudou – Saw no need for him, would rather keep N'Jie.

Yedlin — Relatively excited.
Stambouli – Relatively excited.
Fazio – Genuinely thought we had a need for him and I was quite excited.
Sissoko – Condemned this from the start and saw it only as a misplaced panic signing.

I might be missing something; but this is maybe the strangest post I have ever read on the whole internet.

And I make a point of reading weird shit. :wacky:
 

Shadydan

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2012
38,247
104,143
I might be missing something; but this is maybe the strangest post I have ever read on the whole internet.

And I make a point of reading weird shit. :wacky:

I might have agreed, unless you think Berbatov is bright like dog's bright and has deer face then you'd probably have a point.
 

DJS

A hoonter must hoont
Dec 9, 2006
31,261
21,760
I'm pretty sure Dele was a Pleat recommendation although obviously Poch has played a massive role in his development.
 

midoNdefoe

the member formerly and technically still known as
Mar 9, 2005
3,107
3,166
I think its unfair to write off a player after their first season, regardless of how much they cost...

Sissoko could come good and be a very handy squad player for us this season.
In fact, if we hold onto him, i'd reckon with game-time he'll get 10+ goals and 10+ assists in all comps...
 

LexingtonSpurs

Well-Known Member
Aug 27, 2013
13,456
39,042
I'm pretty sure Dele was a Pleat recommendation although obviously Poch has played a massive role in his development.
I agree - but then you get into the argument over Poch's role in each transfer, and since we don't know the exact role he played with each signing, it is just easier to say he gets credit when one works, and he takes the blame when one fails.

For example - Yedlin was almost certainly a Levy-special, and we are reasonably certain that Fazio only came here because we could not get Musacchio over the line - so it works both ways. Its just easier to take that guesswork out of the equation.
 

Tucker

Shitehawk
Jul 15, 2013
31,131
146,025
Janssen and Nkoudou aren't failures though, it's too premature to write either of them off.

Then surely it's too early to write Sissoko off then?

For now, I'd have them all in gambles that haven't paid off. They may still come good, but so far they have all failed to make a significant impact.
 

Shadydan

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2012
38,247
104,143
Then surely it's too early to write Sissoko off then?

For now, I'd have them all in gambles that haven't paid off. They may still come good, but so far they have all failed to make a significant impact.

Ahh but we bought Sissoko for a totally different remit than Jannsen and Nkoudo so I think that's slightly different.
 

Shadydan

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2012
38,247
104,143
Did we?

That sounds like a massive assumption to me.

Well the price tag for one tells you all you need to know really, would you not say that he's failed to live up to expectations and the jury is still out on the other two?
 
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