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Saido Berahino to Tottenham: West Brom manager Tony Pulis admits striker hasn't been at 'same level' since speculation

Talk of a move to White Hart Lane looks set to resume as the January transfer window nears 

Simon Rice
Friday 04 December 2015 11:52 GMT
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West Brom manager Tony Pulis has said Saido Berahino has not been at the "same level" since the striker pushed for a move to Tottenham over the summer and is wary of speculation ramping up once again.

Berahino made no secret of his desire for a move to White Hart Lane during the last window but the proposed deal was blocked by West Brom who were determined to retain the services of the man who scored 20 goals last term.

This season, Berahino has been nowhere near the same level, finding the net just three times. The dip in form is a concern for Pulis who is predicting renewed talk of a move to Tottenham for the 22-year-old.

"If you look at last season the most influential player at the club was Saido. He got the goals which got us the points which kept us in the league. This year we haven't had that," said Pulis.

"For six months we've played with Saido being nowhere near as good as he was last year. It was disappointing in lots of ways. I'm not blaming Saido, not anyone, it's just fact.

"There's no question Saido was disappointed the deal never went through. There are people in the game who can handle it, there are people who can't.

"He's an outstanding player and talent but we haven't had that at the same level as we did last year.

"I'm not saying we can't get him back but we haven't got him back to the same level.

"The problem is the window is coming around again and there will be all the speculation."

That West Brom take on Spurs this weekend will only fuel any talk.

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