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| Mauricio Pochettino hits back at criticisms of Tottenham's transfer business |
TOTTENHAM have hit back at the criticism over their dealings during the transfer window.
Spurs failed to land Saido Berahino from West Brom on deadline day and look short up top after selling Roberto Soldado and not registering Emmanuel Adebayor.
But head coach Mauricio Pochettino and chairman Daniel Levy insist they are happy with their business and the squad.
Tottenham signed Toby Alderweireld from Atletico Madrid, Kieran Trippier from Burnley, Kevin Wimmer from Cologne, Clinton Njie from Olympique Lyonnais and Heung-Min Son from Bayer Leverkusen, while Dele Alli joined up with the squad after signing last January and going back on loan to MK Dons.
“I look at our squad and I know we have worked well to shape it," Pochettino said.
"Strengthening our defence was a priority given the number of goals we conceded last season. Toby, Kevin and Kieran add depth and quality.
“In Dele, Sonny and Clinton we have three young, fast and exciting players who can play in several different attacking positions, giving us good options.
“All of them had impressive seasons in their respective leagues last season and we are excited about their potential alongside that of our current players.
“I have been very clear that we would only add players that we felt would improve us and if any one player was not possible then I prefer we do not add for the sake of it.
"Much has been said about us only having one recognised striker in Harry - I don’t accept this at all - the positional play of today’s forwards means it’s too simplistic to look for goals from any one position - playing a fluid style means players switch.
"Also we secured Sonny and Clinton in the knowledge that we may not be adding any other forward.”
And chairman Levy, who was slammed by his counter part at West Brom Jeremy Peace for a low-ball Berahino offer, insists the main focus of the window was streamlining the squad.
“At the end of last season Mauricio was clear what we needed to do and what we certainly shouldn’t do”, Levy said.
“He wanted to streamline the squad, strengthen it and retain the ability to develop the talent we already had. Importantly, we also needed to keep our key players.
“That meant reducing the squad number, improving the team defensively and adding exciting attacking forwards. It also meant that if we couldn’t secure the few key targets we wanted, we wouldn’t just add others. And we needed to keep the space for our current players to flourish.”
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