It was reminiscent of a toxic relationship where neither party were able to put each other out of their misery and cut the cord. Three loan deals were sanctioned during his four year stay at White Hart Lane, as the two parties thought intermittent breaks would do their relationship the world of good. When the former Barcelona wonderkid tried to break free and pen permanent deals elsewhere, however, Spurs lashed out, refusing to succumb to the harsh realities that it simply wasn't working. It was seen as quite a coup when Spurs landed the latest in a long list of Barcelona produce during the summer of 2008, but in truth, the Mexican boy wonder was never cut out for the rigours of the Premier League. His professionalism was also called into question by boss Harry Redknapp, lamenting his consistent tardiness at training sessions and penchant for Spanish nightclubs. Despite making just 15 appearances for the club in four years, he escaped the cull until the arrival of Andre Villas-Boas, who blasted dos Santos for daring to manoeuvre a transfer away from the club. Having announced his desire to move back to Spain, Villas-Boas stated that he was 'not sure what Gio's thought process was coming out with a statement like that', before eventually relenting and accepted a fee from Real Mallorca. The turbulent and frosty relationship had finally been spiked, and dos Santos had moved out.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
