Even before Pedro Porro had a good start at Tottenham Hotspur, Tim Sherwood immediately slammed him… and now he continues with his verbal attacks.
When the 24-year-old signed for Antonio Conte’s then Spurs in January, it was a game to forget as the team suffered a high profile defeat at Leicester City.
Although Pedro Porro has only been in the country for a few weeks, Tim Sherwood has made no secret of what he thinks of the player.
The former title holder continued to do so after Tottenham recorded a 2-2 draw at Manchester United on Sunday. “I was very critical of Pedro Porro at the start of the gate and I still am,” as he was quoted as saying by Premier League Productions (15.1.24 at 5.50pm).
Although the £39million midfielder is one of his team’s best players this season, according to Tim Sherwood, he will ‘let you down’ because he can’t defend.
Compared to last season, the right-sided defender plays in a system that suits his style and allows him to be much more up front.
However, because Ange Postecoglou wants his defenders to play as high up as possible, they are exposed when they try to go back and defend.
But Tim Sherwood didn’t digest that when he got back on the player.
Pedro Porro’s defence
“I was very critical of Pedro Porro at the start and I still am,” Sherwood said. “I don’t think he’s a good defender.
“When he’s asked to defend, which we saw in this game, he’s going to let you down.
“But going forward and expressing himself, the fitness, the ability on the ball and the range of passing, it’s fantastic. The manager has recognised that and is playing to his strengths.”
Pedro Porro is having a good season:
Given that Postecoglou wants the player to push as high as possible and play as a number ten, then he will be left exposed at the back.
There will be plenty of space for opposing strikers to run into, as Marcus Rashford found out at the weekend.
The message from the training ground and from the training ground would not be to retreat, but to push forward, cause confusion in the final third and force the opponents to go deep into their own half.
And it’s safe to say that the Spurs’ full backs have done that brilliantly this season.