GAP TO PHIL Pochettino fuming at Tottenham failure to sign Barcelona outcast Philippe Coutinho in summer transfer window

ONE of manager Mauricio Pochettino’s many beefs with Tottenham is their failure to pursue Philippe Coutinho in the summer.

Posted Friday, November 15, 2019 by Thesun.co.uk

Barcelona, who signed him from Liverpool for well over £100million, were trying to offload the Brazilian forward on loan.

GAP TO PHIL Pochettino fuming at Tottenham failure to sign Barcelona outcast Philippe Coutinho in summer transfer window
Bayern beat Spurs to playmaker Coutinho Credit: Getty - Contributor

GAP TO PHIL Pochettino fuming at Tottenham failure to sign Barcelona outcast Philippe Coutinho in summer transfer window
Pochettino is dealing with a number of inconsistent forwards in Tottenham Credit: AFP or licensors

The Spurs boss had first-hand experience of Coutinho because he coached him when he was in charge of Espanyol.

Poch had taken him from Inter Milan in 2012, signing the player until the end of the season to help them avoid relegation.

And he wanted to sign him again this summer but lost out when Bayern Munich made their move.

Poch has complained endlessly about the need to spend big to bring his V2.0 Spurs up to scratch.

If Coutinho had been signed, he is convinced the rebuild would already be well under way.

Playing under the Argentine in La Liga, Coutinho netted five goals in 16 appearances including a brace in a vital 5-1 win over relegation rivals Rayo Vallecano.

But he hasn't been able to recreate his best form for Bayern - scoring just twice and recently dropped to the bench.

Back in Tottenham, only Harry Kane can boast more than three goals in the league this term.

Pochettino is continuing to rotate between Lucas Moura, Erik Lamela and Christian Eriksen as he struggles to settle on the final piece in his attacking jigsaw.