I don't like the sale of Walker. On the other hand, the club have done so well the past two years, they've earned at least one summer of respite from my bitter criticism. Unless they sell Dier.
What were we meant to do? Kyle Walker's on between £150k and £200k per week at Citeh. We're paying Dele and Harry Kane half that because that's what we can afford. The fact that we're keeping all of our top talents away from the money clubs is a miracle. They're chucking around money on a full back that we can't get near and we're keeping players much better than Kyle, bless him! If ENIC don't sell the club to someone with infinite resources, we will always be up against it on the financial front. We're Atletico not Real Madrid. Sales will always be part of our business model. Get top dollar, reinvest well, move on. Moaning about it won't help or change it.
This is exactly it. We'll struggle to maintain their consistency, though. They sell one top-class striker and immediately replace him with another, over and over. Mystifying.
Ensure Walker had a "kill switch" installed that is hard-set to "on" . Like Soton seem to have done to every talent they have been forced to sell for nigh on a decade (we hacked the one on Bale) .
One name is conspicuously absent from the list of thank yous. This is a personal falling out, probably brought about by the semi final. It would seem that Kyle crossed the same line as Kaboul and Lennon, and the writing has been on the wall ever since.
The issue is complicated but it is disappointing that we have strengthened a rival without weakening them. I get that he has had some kind of falling out and Pochettino sees him as dispensable but as well as strengthening city we sold him with getting in someone which leaves us weaker and in terms of a bargaining position and as a playing squad. We need a striker and now a right back as a matter of urgency and while Arsenal; Chelsea; United; Liverpool; City and Everton are all stronger we have begun pre season training and preparation without key gaps being filled are in danger of starting the season that way. Our squad is thin...with Walker gone, N'koudou non existent, Sissoko being Sissoko, Rose, Winks, Son and Lamela injured we are in danger of yet again having a great first team but suffering from a lack of depth. A poor start has cost us in the past 2 seasons and could well do so again this year.
He said ' the staff top to bottom'..... There were other individuals he could have mentioned so probably wouldn't read to much into that. Nice touch, Kyle!!
TBH I have one crition: does Poch think it's a good idea. He's more than earned our trust. 50 million for Kyle Walker? Yeah. If Poch says so I can live with that.
It pains me if I'm honest, but in Poch I trust. He did warn us. He's obviously seen something that he feels can be improved with a different player and that isn't going to get better with Kyle. I'm no expert so I couldn't tell you what that is. Poch however is, if anything, a defensive expert.
I guess this had to be one monumental falling out if that is the sole reason for selling Kyle. For me, selling to a close rival is poor unless we have a solid plan B in place to replace him, but even then I think it's shortsighted. As much as I'm encouraged by Trippier's progress and his crossing, we need options as our system relies heavily on pacey wing backs. All I can say is Poch and Levy better have a solid target in place otherwise this just looks like terrible business if we have any ambitions of bettering or equalling last seasons finish. What kind of message does this send potential transfer targets? One in, one out. It's not a club showing any ambitions of going for the PL title. So far, its the usual dragging of heels in the transfer market and you just know we'll all be having the usual conversations come August 31st and be very miffed if that does happen. Let's wait and see but the clock is ticking and pre-season preparations have already began. Not convinced.
This is my concern too. Kyle walker, who could still has room for improvement in his game, was a brilliant player for us. I'm a huge fan of trippier, but there were games suited to both players last season, and have both options available was hugely beneficial for us. We've now got to find someone who can slot in to the system, understand Poch's philosophy, and hit the ground running pretty damn quickly. Regardless of getting - staggering £50m+, we've got to find a replacement who can fill the void and be affordable in terms of transfer fee and wages. That's not going to be easy. Like you say, with our heel dragging in the transfer period and record of not so good purchases over recent windows, its worrying as to whether we'll get this right. Then we have to consider how much of the money will be banked, rather than used to strengthen the squad. Really hope we can get it right, and push on next season. Wembley is going to be hard enough, so we need to address things asap.
I think it clarifies a few things. We exceeded expectations by challenging for the title for the last two seasons. Kyle wants top boy wages, and probably deserves them for his level and age. Others do too I'm sure. We are not yet in that top band of high wage paying clubs. At least not for everyone that has a case. Poch and Levy are looking for players that need improving and can be paid slightly lower wages. Not players at their peak. Kyle is not getting that price again in his career. If your gonna sell him, now would be the only time to do it. Next season may not be as good. It hurts me because I'd like to have see him better rewarded for his contribution in honours at Spurs. Money talks though, and if you consider how much more he will earn at Man City over the next two seasons before Spurs can up wages it makes sense. I think it has less to do with the falling out with Poch and more to do with the fact that only so many players at the moment can earn top wages at Spurs. Keep Toby happy. Let Kyle go. Develop the next killer pair of full backs. It does seem to be light work for Pochettino in this league.
