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Football

25th Jul 2018

Pochettino says new contracts for “Kane, Son, Lamela, Davinson and Vorm” like “signing five new players”

The Argentine coach seems pretty content with his squad

Wayne Farry

Mauricio Pochettino has been a quiet man this summer

While other sides – including bitter rivals Arsenal – have been active in strengthening the weak areas of their squad, Tottenham Hotspur have, on the surface, been almost sedentary.

It has been an unusual summer, with the World Cup interrupting what would be the usual time for negotiations between clubs, and it leaves many different teams with about two weeks left to get the business they want completed done.

Despite this, Pochettino seems utterly at ease with everything, with quotes that suggest that the retention of his key players is just as important as the arrival of new ones.

“I’m happy preparing the team to arrive in the best condition for the first Premier League game,” he said, ahead of Tottenham’s league opener away to Newcastle United on August 11.

“And of course, very happy with players who have signed new contracts like Harry Kane, Son (Heung-min), (Erik) Lamela, Davinson (Sanchez) and Michel Vorm – that’s like signing five new players.”

While keeping hold of such quality first team and squad members is of massive import, the Argentine coach revealed that he remains vigilant in case a deal can be struck, something which would work in line with the club’s usual last-minute transfer window business.

“We’re working hard trying to improve the squad. It’s a market that has only started to move very quickly after the World Cup and then this season the transfer window closes on 9 August,” he said.

“Be sure that we are going to do some movement but like always, we’re working hard. No rash decisions. I’m not worried.”