Daniel Levy reveals Tottenham's 'new chapter' was hampered by failure to offload unwanted players in the summer

Levy and Pochettino at last weekend's NFL London game
Action Images via Reuters
Dan Kilpatrick @Dan_KP15 October 2019

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has admitted the club's rebuild was hampered by a struggle to sell unwanted players in the summer.

Danny Rose, Serge Aurier and Victor Wanyama were among the transfer-listed players who remained at Spurs, while the club would have considered offers for contract rebels Christian Eriksen, Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino's much-desired "new chapter" has been further hampered by injuries to deadline-day signings Giovani Lo Celso and Ryan Sessegnon.

In the minutes of this month board-to-board meeting with the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust (THST), Levy admitted it had been difficult to offload the club's deadwood.

"Daniel Levy said it’s not always possible to sell players," read the minutes. "In 90% of instances either a buyer could not be found for a player or the player did not wish to join the club that had expressed an interest in buying them so THFC was not able to make as many changes as desired this summer.

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"Levy reiterated just how difficult it is to get a transfer over the line, with so many moving parts.

"Levy felt the next step in the project was already underway with the signings this summer and the sale of some fringe players. That the much-talked about refresh had already begun."

On Eriksen, Vertonghen and Alderweireld, who are all out of contract next summer, the minutes continued: "Daniel Levy said that it wasn’t possible to make anyone sign a contract if they didn’t want to. Some players have been at Spurs for a long time and want to pursue new opportunities elsewhere.

"He felt it was important to look at each individual circumstance. Players want new challenges. It wasn’t always about not wanting to play for Tottenham any more. The whole football system relies on buying and selling players so this is fundamental to the business."

The minutes also reflected that Lo Celso and Sessegnon are both expected to return to full training during the international break. Sessegnon is yet to feature after joining from Fulham on transfer deadline day with a hamstring injury, while loan signing Lo Celso suffered a hip problem after making just three substitute appearances.

Meanwhile, Michel Vorm has rejoined Spurs on a contract until the end of the season to cover injured goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. Vorm, 36 this week, left Spurs when his contract expired in the summer, having made 47 appearances in all competitions after joining from Swansea in July 2014.

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