Mauricio Pochettino is glad Emmanuel Adebayor remains at Tottenham Hotspur, and has now urged his team-mates to help the striker return to form.
The Togolese frontman has played just 11 times in the Premier League this season, scoring two goals, and has been overshadowed by the emergence of 21-year-old Harry Kane who has scored 10 in 19 top-flight outings. This led to speculation that he would be on his way out of the club before the window closed on Monday, with West Ham United showing a keen interest.
However, although Adebayor was keen to make the move to Upton Park, Spurs pulled the plug on the deal due to the Hammers impressive form this term which has them just four point behind their capital rivals. As frustrating as this may have been for the former Arsenal man, Pochettino insists he can still play his part this season, and has urged his team to help the striker return to form.
“We are happy that he stays here because I think he is a very important player,” said the former Argentina international. “We need to provide him with the tools to improve his game and try to help the team to reach their objective. Like with all players, we try to push them, get them to train in a good way and after, when they have the opportunity to play, try to give their best.”
One person who is certainly disappointed that Adebayor didn’t make the move to East London is Alex Song. The Cameroon international played with the 30-year-old whilst together at the Gunners, and is now starring during a loan spell at West Ham from Barcelona. And speaking about the collapsed move of his former team-mate, he admits he was relishing the chance to link up with him again.
“I think if he was coming it would be very good for us – he is a great player,” Song told Sky Sports. “I played with him for five years, I know what he can do. So when someone told me he had the potential to come to West Ham I was very happy because this kind of player can help us contribute to doing very well in the league – we need a person just like this. But now I want just to tell him good luck.”
