Carrick's fired up

"If you get the chance to go to Arsenal, you go. But that deal fell through and Tottenham came in and this has been an ideal move for me.

"Arsenal pulled out of the deal the day after the Community Shield game. Obviously I was disappointed. But I could not allow myself to dwell on that. No one was going to hang on for me.

"The summer has been a bit difficult. I've just been trying to keep a level head. West Ham could not take the risk of me getting injured in games so I didn't play. It was disappointing, but I understand their reasons, and every time a game came up there was always something going on in terms of speculation about me."

Carrick was also criticised by Portsmouth when he told the south coast club that he was rejecting their offer in favour of a possible move to Arsenal.

But the youngster insists he spoke and explained the situation with Pompey manager Harry Redknapp.

He said: "I actually rang Harry and told him the situation and explained myself. I was a bit disappointed with their comments but it's all in the past now."

Moving on is something Carrick also intends to do at international level. Carrick added: "Playing for England was a massive factor in me joining Spurs.

"I could see young players like Ledley in the England team and that is where I want to be. I would like to be in the next squad, but it's up to me to make the most of the chance I've been given.

"If I perform at the highest level with Spurs then England is obviously the next step for me. But if I do not take this chance then I know the buck will stop with me."

Carrick was joined at Spurs today by 25-year-old Nice defender Pamarot, who signed last night for £1.7m.

He too, like Carrick, has a point to prove in the Premiership.

The French defender was on Portsmouth's books as a teenager but failed to convince successive managers that he was worth a chance. Now, after clinching his move, Pamarot would like to make Pompey pay for letting him go.

The Frenchman said: "I want to prove that I can do something in England. I want to show Portsmouth that they were wrong about me.

"They didn't take care of me and didn't talk to me and mentally I gave up in the end."

Tottenham's sporting director Frank Arnesen welcomed both players to the club, but then refused to rule out further additions before the transfer deadline comes into force next week.

Arnesen said: "If there is a player we want in a certain position and we can take the squad on to the next level then you never say never."