Franco Baldini’s Spurs future in doubt after Arsenal hijacked Danny Welbeck move [People]

Over the course of 2013/2014 many Spurs fans questioned the role of Franco Baldini, the technical director at White Hart Lane.

Was the experienced Italian responsible for the seven players brought in to replace Gareth Bale and their (in the main) poor performances for Tottenham last season?

Whether Baldini had been working in conjunction with then-manager Andre Villas-Boas is also somewhat up for debate.

Again, after another summer transfer window, Franco Baldini appears to be under pressure – essentially for not completing a deal for a striker to beef up Mauricio Pochettino’s squad.

Dave Kidd of The People reports that “Franco Baldini’s future as Tottenham’s technical director is under increasing scrutiny after the club failed to land a front-line striker during the transfer window.”

Kidd claimed on two separate occasions during August that Tottenham would sign Welbeck from Manchester United and now suggests that the failure to bring in the England striker could cost Baldini.

He adds: “Spurs were confident of signing Danny Welbeck on deadline-day morning, only for Arsenal to hijack the move and complete a £16 million permanent deal with Manchester United for the England forward. And while Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is seen as an ally of Baldini – with the Italian having favoured the Argentinian to take over from Tim Sherwood – the head coach is believed to be less than happy with the club’s summer business.”

There appears to be cracks between the Spurs hierarchy and Pochettino over the worth of attacking midfielders such as Aaron Lennon, Nacer Chadli and Andros Townsend.

Whilst Dave Kidd also claims that Pochettino is not happy with his striker options, currently Emmanuel Adebayor, Roberto Soldado and Harry Kane.

Whether the departure of Baldini would help Tottenham bring in a world class front line striker over the next few windows remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, Arsenal fans will no doubt be amused by how their signing of Danny Welbeck appears to have caused problems at White Hart Lane.