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Silva’s commitment to Everton may be tested if Pochettino leaves Spurs

Marco Silva’s first loyalty test at the Toffees could come sooner than later

Hull City v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Manchester United finally pulling the plug on the Jose Mourinho experiment earlier today might have set the ball rolling in what will promise to be a very eventful Christmas in the Premier League.

The Times are now reporting that the Red Devils are preparing a massive bid for Tottenham Hotspurs manager Mauricio Pochettino and his entire coaching staff comprising Jesús Pérez, Toni Jiménez and Miguel D’Agostino.

They go on to add that the Argentine is considering taking the role next season, even though he signed a new five-year contract worth £8.5 million per season just this last summer. With no release clause in the terms, United will basically have to buy out the remainder of the manager’s contract and probably throw in another few million as a sweetener to convince Spurs to let Pochettino go.

He has previously been courted by Real Madrid as well, but is understood to favour staying in the Premier League, and did not rule out the possibility of the United switch when it was brought up during a press conference today. Pochettino has operated under some severe financial restrictions under Daniel Levy at the North London club regarding transfer funds and player wages, and that austerity seems set to continue for a few more years with Spurs soon to unveil their brand new stadium.

At United he would have no such concerns, considering they are the richest club in the world ahead of Real Madrid and Barcelona and would put him in a position to finally win the trophies that have eluded him at Tottenham.

Which brings us to Everton and what that move would mean for Marco Silva.

As Tottenham look to replace Pochettino, Silva would likely be one of the first they would want to take a long hard look at. In style he would be the closest manager to what they currently play, and currently operates with a squad that could be considered similar in quality to what Pochettino currently has.

Silva has already gotten a bit of a reputation for being a manager that has his head turned easily following approaches from Watford FC while he was Hull City’s boss, and then subsequently from Everton last season while still in charge at the Hornets. Though the Portuguese has gone to great pains to establish that is not who he is, should Blues be worried?

Spurs have already been scouting Andre Gomes with a view to making a move for the player when his loan deal expires, and with Richarlison’s close relationship with Silva, would a move to Tottenham also be on the cards for him?

Under Farhad Moshiri and Marcel Brands, Silva will not have the financial shackles that he would at Spurs, and keeping the longer-term picture in mind, switching to Tottenham can possibly be considered a lateral move. Following two consecutive Premier League runners up finishes, can Spurs be considered to have peaked, while Everton’s ceiling remains unknown for the next couple of years?

However United end up filling their managerial vacancy, there’s certainly some interesting times ahead for the Premier League.