Robertson Had Tottenham in Mind From January
Andy Robertson has revealed that Tottenham Hotspur was always his preferred destination once it became clear that his long association with Liverpool was coming to an end.
The Scotland international, who joined Tottenham after leaving Liverpool, said the move had effectively been his preferred option since January, although there was one important condition: Spurs had to remain in the Premier League.
Speaking on The Overlap's Stick to Football podcast, Robertson explained that Tottenham's interest became serious while the club was struggling and he did not want to risk moving to a Championship side.
“It was always Tottenham, as long as they stayed up.”
The 32-year-old said Tottenham's difficult position at the time made the situation more complicated, but he eventually became personally invested in the club's results.
Robertson Started Watching Tottenham's Games
Robertson revealed that his interest in Spurs went beyond simply waiting for the transfer to happen.
As Tottenham battled to secure their Premier League status, the defender said he began following their matches and hoping they would get the results required to remain in the division.
He explained that he did not want to join Tottenham if the club were relegated, but became increasingly confident that they would survive.
“I ended up getting invested in Tottenham games.”
Robertson said the arrival of Roberto De Zerbi further strengthened his confidence in Tottenham's prospects.
According to the defender, De Zerbi's appointment gave him greater belief that Spurs would stay up and that the club could eventually build toward something more competitive.
“Especially when De Zerbi came in, I was fully confident.”
His comments underline how closely Robertson followed Tottenham's situation before officially becoming a Spurs player.
Tottenham's Interest Made a Difference
Robertson also praised Tottenham for the strength of their interest in signing him.
The former Liverpool defender said Spurs made their interest clear and that he appreciated how strongly the club wanted him.
“They showed their interest first, and they really wanted me.”
That interest ultimately played an important role in his decision.
Robertson had other options available after Liverpool decided not to continue with him, but he said Tottenham remained his preferred destination provided the club stayed in the Premier League.
Liverpool Chapter Ends After Nine Seasons
Robertson's move to Tottenham brought an end to a highly successful nine-year spell at Liverpool.
He joined Liverpool in 2017 and became an important part of the side that won major honours under Jürgen Klopp.
During his time at Anfield, Robertson won two Premier League titles, the 2019 Champions League, an FA Cup and two League Cups, among other honours.
His final years at Liverpool eventually led to a decision to move on, and Tottenham emerged as the destination he had already been considering.
Robertson said leaving Liverpool was not something he had originally planned to do in January because he still had six months remaining on his contract and was also looking ahead to the World Cup.
However, as his departure became increasingly likely, Tottenham's interest became a realistic option.
Conversations With De Zerbi Strengthened His Belief
Robertson also revealed that he spoke directly with De Zerbi after the move became possible.
The pair held video calls during the summer, allowing the player to understand the manager's ambitions for Tottenham.
Robertson described De Zerbi as ambitious and said the Italian wants Tottenham to compete for trophies.
The defender also acknowledged that the manager understands the club needs to show progress on the pitch sooner rather than later.
That belief appears to have been an important factor in Robertson's decision to join Spurs.
The Scottish international has now become part of a Tottenham squad undergoing a period of transition, with the club attempting to move beyond the difficulties of the previous campaign.
Robertson Wants Tottenham to Move Forward
While explaining his decision to join, Robertson also addressed Tottenham's struggles since the beginning of the current season.
He said the squad has quality but needs to demonstrate that quality collectively rather than relying on individual moments.
The defender believes Tottenham need to stop allowing previous disappointments to influence their performances.
He has called for the players to focus on moving forward and rebuilding confidence.
Robertson's comments come after Tottenham endured difficult results early in the campaign, including a 0-0 draw with Everton and a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.
The defender said Tottenham have shown good moments but need to maintain their confidence when games turn against them.
A Different Kind of Connection With Spurs
Robertson's revelation that he was watching Tottenham's matches and hoping for positive results before joining the club offers an unusual insight into the transfer process.
Rather than simply choosing Spurs after receiving an offer, the defender had already started emotionally investing in the club's survival.
His condition was straightforward: Tottenham had to remain in the Premier League.
Once that happened, the path was clear.
The defender ultimately left Liverpool after nine seasons and moved to North London, where he is now working under De Zerbi and attempting to help Tottenham build a new chapter.
For Robertson, the transfer was therefore not a last-minute decision. His comments suggest that the idea of joining Spurs had been developing for months before the move became official.
And as he explained, Tottenham's determination to sign him made the decision even easier.
