Former manager says striker was never the same after failed Spurs move

The nature of transfers in such that while some get done really quickly, other sagas last for a long time without ever materialising.

Tottenham have certainly had their fair share of the latter with the likes of Joao Moutinho, Leandro Damiao and Ross Barkley all names to have been mentioned in dispatches over the years.

One particularly exceptional case is that of Saido Berahino, who was attracting major interest from Spurs when he was at West Brom in 2015.

Berahino had just netted 20 goals in 45 games for the baggies in the 14/15 season (HITC) and was subject to multiple bids from Tottenham (BBC).

However, West Brom rejected Tottenham’s approach which led to an angry outburst from Berahino on social media as he said he would never play for West Brom again.

The forward’s career has gone from bad to worse from that point as he failed to show the same quality that bought him that early recognition.

The 26-year-old was freed from his contract with Stoke City recently and signed for the Belgian side Zulte Waragem.

Tony Pulis, who managed Berahino at West Brom, has now revealed that the former England international never recovered from his failed move to Tottenham.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Pulis said, “Saido was going to play for England. He was outstanding in that season at West Brom and we’d probably have gone down without his goals. When he didn’t get the move to Spurs he was never the same again.

“It really affected him. All the people around him didn’t take responsibility to look after him.

“I went to his house and met his mum one night to try and turn it all around. But he never had that glint in his eye again.”

Spurs Web Opinion

While Berahino possessed an abundance of talent, he clearly also had an attitude problem and so it certainly looks like Spurs dodged a bullet here. As witnessed with so many young players, the right attitude and willingness to work hard always trumps natural talent.

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