• Premier League

Paulinho told to earn Spurs place

ESPN staff
April 3, 2014
Paulinho has struggled with language problems since signing from Brazilian side Corinthians © PA Photos
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Tim Sherwood has told Paulinho he will have to impress in training if he wants a chance to make an impact in the Premier League with Spurs.

Levy dampens transfer hopes

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is trying to move the club to a new ground © Getty Images
  • Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has told the club's fans not to expect another summer of change.
  • The club are having a disappointing season despite spending more than £100 million on new players last year and changing the management team.
  • However, Levy who wants to push through the building of a new stadium, said: "Our focus is to continue to invest in and develop the squad [but] we shall not look to a summer of major upheaval, rather to strengthen in key positions."

The Tottenham head coach was irked by comments from the £17 million signing that he is unhappy with his role as a fringe player.

Paulinho, like many other Premier League players, has an eye on playing for his country at this summer's World Cup but Sherwood - like Liverpool's Brendan Rodgers - is standing firm.

"I pick players on what they are doing in training, not on reputations and price tags," Sherwood said.

"I can't be worrying if the Brazil national manager wants him to play every week. I am going to do what is best for Tottenham, not any national manager.

"He knows if he trains well and plays well, he stays in the side. He's come here from another country and the language has been a problem for him."

Paulinho signed for Spurs from Corinthians last summer and but has not featured since a substitute appearance in the 1-0 defeat by Arsenal last month.

"Settling into the Premier League, it's a different game from what he has been used to," Sherwood said.

"It's very fast with no respite and we play a completely different way to the Brazil team and the team he has come from.

"He won't find any Premier League team similar to what he has been used to. But he trains well and wants to be a success."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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