Mauricio Pochettino made sure he thoroughly researched Giovani Lo Celso before he signed for Tottenham Hotspur this summer.
The transfer saga for the 23-year-old Argentina international rumbled on all summer, only finally ending on deadline day when Spurs agreed a loan move with Real Betis with the option to make the move permanent.
Pochettino has a reputation for thoroughly researching new signings before they arrive in order to see whether they will fit in with the philosophy he has incorporated in north London and blend with the personalities at the club.
The Argentine would have had a good knowledge of his young compatriot but still put in the leg work, explaining to media back in his home country this week how he had spoken to a former international team-mate who had coached Lo Celso as a youngster.
"He is an incredible boy, I had talked with Kily Gonzalez about him because he had him in Rosario Central's reserves. He is a great footballer, he only needs time to adapt," Pochettino is quoted as saying by Ole.
With Lo Celso being a Rosario man and Pochettino starting his football life at their rivals Newell's Old Boys, the Spurs boss was asked about what would happen the next time the two teams play.
"The rivalry is to death, we are both very competitive," he said with a laugh. "Surely we are going to bet something."
Pochettino also spoke about being nominated alongside Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp in the three-strong shortlist for FIFA's Best Coach of the Year award.
"I take it with great pride. One when you start a career as a footballer or as a coach tries to think day by day, but things like these stop you in time and make you think about the effort one makes," he admitted.
The Spurs boss also admitted that he still holds the dream to one day manage Argentina, saying: "Managing the national team comes into my dreams as something to fulfil and I have a great mental strength to fulfil my dreams in reality."
