Mauricio Pochettino has suggested he is not to blame for Tottenham’s lack of transfer activity this summer.
The Spurs manager is yet to add any new players to his ranks with less than a week to go until the summer transfer window closes.
The situation has led to concerns among fans that the cost of the club’s soon-to-open £850million stadium is prohibiting the Argentine from strengthening a squad that finished third in the Premier League last season — something club officials have denied.
When asked why no new faces had arrived at the club while Tottenham’s top-six rivals have all been busy, Pochettino hinted at factors beyond his control.
‘I think I am not the person to explain this,’ he said. ‘Of course people expect a manager to explain it. But in this situation for different reasons it has been difficult to add players who can help us.’
Spurs are keen on Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish but may have to move players out before they can focus on further incoming with the homegrown quota an issue.
Toby Alderweireld, Danny Rose and Fernando Llorente may exit to make room for fresh blood.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has a reputation for late activity and Pochettino, who sees his nine remaining absent World Cup stars report back for duty on Monday, expects a busy few days.
‘In the last week many things can happen,’ he said. ‘We’re working so hard but still we are like we were on the first day of the transfer window, with no signings.’
Manchester City, United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool have all strengthened and Pochettino is keen for Spurs to do likewise.
‘I am a coach and when you are a coach you cannot be relaxed,’ he said. ‘You need to be confident and trust in the people that you have, and the way we work.
‘Football is always about adding more quality every season like our rivals are doing.’