Within 48 hours of Tottenham’s decision to sack Thomas Frank, Ange Postecoglou appeared on StickTo Football, and he claims he wanted to sign a £54m Chelsea player during his Spurs stint.
Following Tottenham’s 2-1 home loss to Newcastle, Spurs decided to axe Frank. It has been a long time coming at Chelsea’s rivals, with Spurs now sitting in a dismal 16th and just five points above 18th.
Spurs are looking for a new manager, and two former Chelsea managers are in the hunt. Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, USA boss Mauricio Pochettino has informed Spurs he wants to take over at Tottenham.
Chelsea fans – was Rosenior to blame, or was it the players? 😤
Chelsea failed to hold on to a 2-0 lead over Leeds.
The problem Spurs have is that Pochettino is unlikely to become available before the World Cup. Enzo Maresca has also been linked with Tottenham. On Thursday, Postecoglou appeared on Stick To Football.
Ange Postecoglou wanted to sign Pedro Neto ahead of Chelsea
Aside from the managerial chat and Tottenham’s struggles, Postecoglou says he actually tried to sign a player that joined Chelsea in the summer of 2024 for a £54m fee – in the form of winger Pedro Neto.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Chelsea - Premier League
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
Neto has since had a hand in 29 goals in 88 games for Chelsea, with the jury still largely out on the winger. Speaking on Stick To Football, Postecoglou says he wanted him ahead of his move to Chelsea.
“I was looking at Pedro Neto and Mbeumo and Semenyo at the time, Marc Guehi, because I said we need if we’re going to go from fifth to there, that’s what the other big clubs would do in that moment.”
Pedro Neto is struggling to shine under Liam Rosenior
Since Rosenior came to Chelsea, there have been a few Chelsea players who have starred. Cole Palmer is not 100% fit, but he’s still managed to have a hand in nine goals in just six appearances under Rosenior.
Pedro Neto really needs to mix up his game 🤦♂️
What did you make of his performance against Pafos?
Pedro Neto's number of crosses vs Pafos
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The England star is loving life under Rosenior, as is Joao Pedro, who keeps scoring goals. Marc Cucurella believes the confidence among certain players is higher under Rosenior, and it wasn’t under Maresca.
But some are struggling, too. Alejandro Garnacho is still failing to prove why Chelsea signed him, and more than most, Neto is enduring a difficult spell. No goals or assists in 10 Premier League games.
Rosenior has a quality player on his hands in Neto, and at his best, one of the league’s best wingers. But the new Chelsea gaffer has to find a way of unlocking Neto that does not impact Pedro or Palmer.
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