Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino urges Premier League to restore transfer deadline back in line with

Mauricio Pochettino believes a majority of Premier League clubs made the wrong decision to vote in favour of the transfer window closing before the start of the English top flight season.

Two years ago, Pochettino’s Tottenham were among a number of teams who decided to back the proposal to move the deadline for signings to the final week of pre-season.

While considered at the time a good way to ensure squads were not disrupted by potential transfers throughout the opening weeks of the season, Pochettino believes English teams have actually been left at a disadvantage – because the European transfer window remains open.

The transfer deadline for Europe’s major competitions does not close until the end of August – a date previously shared by the Premier League – meaning foreign clubs can buy players from English clubs while they have no chance to replace them.

Pochettino is facing this conundrum himself as Christian Eriksen, the midfielder, and defender Toby Alderweireld are both being linked with moves abroad before the end of the month.

And he feels the Premier League should push the transfer deadline back so it is once again in line with the remainder of Europe.

The Argentine said: “I wasn’t in agreement (with the decision) but at that moment they believed that was best for the clubs. But I think he (Spurs chairman Daniel Levy) and a lot of people now realise it was a massive mistake. I hope that we fix the problem for the next season.

“I think we need to go back and operate in the same way that they operate in Europe because I think it’s massive when you go to compete in the Europa League or Champions League.

“It’s a problem for a team like us and it’s so clear that I cannot be happy as a coach that in the last three weeks clubs from Europe can unsettle your team.

“For me it’s not common sense and we need to go back quick, hope they have a good conversation at the Premier League and go back quickly.”

Asked if Daniel Levy, the Tottenham chairman, would agree with him, Pochettino responded: “I don’t know but I hope yes.”

Spurs have finished in the top four for the past four seasons under Pochettino but have been unable to compete with their biggest rivals in the transfer market.

This summer the club did break their transfer record to sign Tanguy Ndombele for £53.8million and also brought in Giovanni Lo Celso, Jack Clarke and Ryan Sessegnon.

Yet there were no new arrivals in 2018 and uncertainty over the future of Eriksen underlines a fear that star players can be more readily picked off by rivals.

Pochettino has learned to accept the situation.

“It’s a process that is completely different when you compare it to Manchester City, to Manchester United or Arsenal, Chelsea, teams like this. They are preparing themselves to win,” said Pochettino, whose side eked out a 2-2 draw at City on Saturday despite mustering only three shots to their hosts’ 30.

“For us the priority was to build the new stadium – and of course to win because we want to win – but I think the way we operate is completely different.

“I’m not complaining, only that I try to describe the truth and some people struggle to understand what the project is at Tottenham.

“We’re in a process where every season is rebuild the team, every season is rebuild the season.

“I am so happy because that makes us stronger and to be creative, but of course it’s tough.

“People understand we are playing to try to win but we have different resources to fight in the same race with teams that operate in a different way.”