The easiest link for a football writer to conjure up this summer will be Victor Wanyama to Tottenham Hotspur, but just why would Mauricio Pochettino want to sign another defensive midfield player.

Even though Spurs need to bolster their squad ahead of a possible long Champions League campaign, more than one football expert is asking the question as to where Wanyama would fit into the way Spurs play.

The problem with signing the Kenyan from Saints for Pochettino would be that in Eric Dier he already has a very good defensive midfielder and if both were played in the same side it would leave Spurs woefully short of attacking flair.

Saints play with two defensive midfielders and are set up that way, but Spurs are different, they rely on their defence holding strong and then using their flair in midfield to good effect.

For a side that relies on getting forward quickly and getting the ball to the feet of Harry Kane, to lose a flair player in the centre and use two essentially stoppers in midfield would drastically change their playing style.

So the footballing world is asking why Pochettino would want to sign Wanyama, a player of his quality would want to be first choice in the Spurs side and would not be content with being back up, but that is what he would likely to be unless the Argentinian manager changes what is a winning formula.

Some are suggesting that Pochettino is after Wanayma, for one reason and that is because he can ! that being the case parallels are being drawn with Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool two years ago when the Irishman forgot what had got him success the previous season and signed all and sundry because he could and in doing so broke up a winning formula.

Spurs fans are of the same opinion judging by several Tottenham websites, the wisdom of spending big on Wanyama is being questioned by the White Hart Lane faithful who see Wanyama as a competent Premier League player but not much more.

Photo: Action Images

Consigliere added 20:33 - Jun 1 I strongly recommend everyone reads Sam Wallace's article in today's Telegraph headed "The quiet success of Southampton, who can now afford to keep stars like Sadio Mané". Its slightly tucked away at the bottom of the page but very positive reading. In summary, he thinks that we ought to be able to retain the services of Mane and Koeman though may have to put up with the loss of Wanyama (at a very high price and on our terms).

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BoondockSaint added 23:57 - Jun 1 They need him because like their rivals Arsenal, they are traditionally weak down the middle and have bunch of players that can be muscled off the ball. If he goes for big money, fine, but use the money to keep Koeman and Mane. But we better get a couple of hard men as replacements (one to intimidate other teams, and one to sub for him when he gets suspended!)
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SanMarco added 00:07 - Jun 2 I think Wanyama is a good player and will be sorry to see him go. Whether Spuds need him or not really isn't our problem. Knowing Levy the offer will be low and if it is we should say no.
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SanMarco added 00:13 - Jun 2 Thanks Consigliere for pointing out the Torygraph article - let's hope it proves prescient...
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StRipper added 08:17 - Jun 2 I think we are seeing growing evidence of Pochettino's significant achilles heel (all part of his 'only Plan A' failing ) in that he is a terrible strategist. Look how many players they signed last summer that can't get in the side, even with the help of poaching our own Paul Mitchell. Beyond Eric Dier and Alderweireld, who we found, all flops. Add that to the Osvaldo debacle and there is a clear pattern. In some ways, if Spurs still sign Wanyama it may be an indication of their forthcoming decline in the way of Liverpool coveting our players. Thinking it will weaken Saints when it actually is an effective way of passing a player with limitations on to an opponent. Pochettino tries to take credit for the signing of Wanyama but we know his involvement in signing him for Saints was probably incidental. However, for me, he can get 100% out of the players at his disposal, but he has no real idea how to improve and strengthen a squad

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StRipper added 08:37 - Jun 2 In fact, to extend my hypothesis, I wonder if that was the reason why Pochettino failed his 'job interview' with Ferguson and the wily old codger saw through him on the basis the Pochettino is another Brendan Rodgers when it comes to buying players. United mainly need someone to rebuild over a great coach, and that is why they subsequently went for Mourinho with Pochettino then signing his contract extension with Spurs. Interesting times. 3rd season now for him at Spurs and I wonder if he has that in him. No evidence so far as a manager 😀

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