Tony Pulis has vented his anger in the wake of Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of Saido Berahino, with the Albion manager describing the timing of the transfer window as “absolutely ridiculous” and claiming that the speculation has been so disruptive he had no option but to leave the striker out of his squad for the Chelsea game.
Chelsea won 3-2 at The Hawthorns to pick up their first victory of the season on an afternoon when Pedro marked his debut with a goal and John Terry was sent off for a professional foul on Salomon Rondon.
Berahino, however, was nowhere to be seen after Pulis decided that last season’s top scorer was not in the right frame of mind to play following Tottenham’s failed £18m bid for the player last Wednesday, with the London club expected to return with an improved offer over the coming days.
Pulis believes that the transfer system should be changed so that there is no player movement once the season starts. “Why are we talking about Saido? Because of the transfer window. It’s absolutely ridiculous. For it to be going through the start of the season is ridiculous. We should be talking about this game,” the Albion manager said.
“This wouldn’t be an issue, a problem. Saido is a great lad. It happens where it can be disruptive, and it has been disruptive. I had a good chat with him yesterday [on Saturday] and he’s fine, no problems, but it’s the transfer window. Why can’t we have a system where it finishes before the start of the season.
Asked whether Berahino’s omission should be interpreted as a sign that the player was leaving, Pulis replied: “You’ll have to wait and see, seven days. I don’t think that’s relevant. It’s just the kid. He’s a young lad who needs to be protected. There’s loads of stuff going on in his mind and there are loads of clubs, not one but 15, saying things and doing things. I’m not talking any more about it.”
José Mourinho hailed Chelsea’s performance as “fantastic”, singling out Pedro for particular praise, but Terry’s dismissal, coming on the back of his half-time substitution at Manchester City last Sunday, provided the main talking point. Penalised for hauling back Salomón Rondón, the Albion striker, Terry was shown a straight red card by Mark Clattenburg, the referee.
Mourinho said that Terry was not to blame but suggested that an appeal would be pointless. “Normally, it’s a waste of time for us. Normally. I think we should [appeal], but normally it’s a waste of time. Matic against Burnley last year, Diego Costa against Liverpool, Courtois … it’s a waste of time.”
In a breathless game, Thibaut Courtois saved an early penalty from James Morrison, who went on to score both Albion’s goals, the second five minutes after Terry was sent off. Pedro got Chelsea’s first and then set up the second for Costa as Chelsea raced into a two-goal lead. César Azpilicueta, with his first Premier League goal, added Chelsea’s third just before half-time but there were some anxious moments for the champions to endure in the second half.
“A fantastic performance,” added Mourinho, who said he was not worried that Chelsea have already picked up two red cards this season and that he would continue to work on playing against 10 men in training. “When we had the ball we were always dangerous, and the three goals were ’short’ for the chances we created and the football we played. And, with 10 men, the spirit and organisation and fight in defensive areas, and the intelligence to keep the ball away from dangerous areas... we are happy.”
