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Scouting For Pochettino – 3 Key Areas Tottenham Need To Strengthen To Challenge For The Title Next Season

The Perfect Summer Plan For Tottenham To Succeed Next Season

Tottenham Hotspur are on fire. The Lilywhites have been one of the best teams in the Premier League this season and rightly sit 2nd in the league standings, 10 points behind Chelsea.

Mauricio Pochettino has turned his side into a force to be reckoned with and looks all set to lead them to their best finish in Premier League history. It also looks like it will also come with the sweet joy of finishing above arch rivals Arsenal, making the success even more pleasant for the club and the fans alike.

However, Spurs need to make sure that they do not rest on their laurels. There is plenty of work yet to be done at the club and Pochettino should continue working towards that. Their failures in the European competitions is a testament to the fact there is still a long way to go for Tottenham. For them to continue progressing at the amazing rate that they have been doing over the past two years, their summer transfers will play a huge role.

The Summer Of 2016

The players who Tottenham bought in the summer of 2016 have been a huge disappointment, except for Victor Wanyama. The Kenyan international has turned the Spurs midfield into a well-oiled unit with his strong and assertive presence.

However, the other signings have been a major let-down. Moussa Sissoko was signed on the deadline day with the view that he would be able to provide the Lilywhites with width down the right flank after a highly impressive Euro 2016 campaign. However, the former Newcastle United man has flattered to deceive at the White Hart Lane and has been a major disappointment. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him head for the exit doors in the summer.

On the other hand, striker Vincent Janssen has also struggled to get going in North London, after arriving amidst much promise from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar. The 22-year old has struggled to adapt to the ways of the English football and it took him 9 months after his arrival, to score his first goal from open play.

Another youngster who arrived in the summer, Georges-Kevin N’Koudou has also found it very hard to make any sort of impact. However, the French winger is regarded highly by Pochettino and may still have a future at the club.

European Dreams

If Tottenham are to make bigger strides in Europe, they need to avoid the repetition of the mistakes that they made in the transfer window last summer.

There is nothing wrong with bringing in young players with great promise. In fact it has worked well for Tottenham in the case of Dele Alli and Ben Davies. However, when competing on the continental stage, there is a need for more than few talents in the ranks. An experienced head on the field and a leader who can marshall the troops when under pressure would be essential. This is something that was found lacking in the Spurs squad in Europe.

For them to continue their rise, an experienced centre-back, with the know-how of European football could go a long way in helping them. They have an excellent defensive record, no doubt.

Walls At The Back

The likes of Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen have been brilliant this season. Eric Dier has been decent enough as well. But, given that Spurs have preferred to operate with three men at the back, at least two solid covers in the squad are a must.

Though Kevin Wimmer had a decent 2015/16 season, he has struggled badly this time around. If he continues to underperform, he may well be headed out of the club. Irrespective of him staying or leaving, another centre-half will be a great addition.

Tottenham are well stocked in the full-back department with Kyle Walker and Danny Rose being the best in their position in England, with Kieran Trippier and Ben Davies being more than able backups. Their midfield too looks well-equipped, with Victor Wanyama and Mousa Dembele forging a brilliant partnership. In Harry Winks, they have one of the brightest young midfielders in the country. If need be Eric Dier can always slot himself in central midfield – a position where he has impressed heavily.

Attack Attack Attack

In the attack department, a wide player has been a priority for Tottenham for quite a while now. After watching Sissoko and the young N’Koudou struggle to make the cut, the Lilywhites will be benefited by going for a mix of youth and experience in the top level; someone like Riyad Mahrez or Wilfried Zaha.

Heung-Min Son has been excellent, but he isn’t a natural wide player and prefers to cut in from the flanks always. Erik Lamela, on the other hand, has been blighted with injuries and after such a long layoff, he will find it hard to make an immediate impact. Hence, bringing in someone who will be able to stretch the defences wide and run at them with pace and trickery on the wide areas will give the Tottenham attack a totally different dimension altogether.

With Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli in the team, the slot of the attacking midfielder is well covered and the two of them have the capability to tear sides apart on their day. However, a young and developing player as a backup would prove to be a smart addition.

The Finishers

Up front, Tottenham have one of the best strikers in the game in Harry Kane. The 23-year old has developed into one of the most feared marksmen across Europe. But the lack of a second striker has been hampering them a lot. With Vincent Janssen struggling to get going, it might turn out to be prudent in investing on a second striker, who could ease Kane’s burden off his shoulders.

Verdict

An experienced head in the heart of the defence combined with a few additions in the attack – a proven winger, a promising attacking midfielder and a striker to operate along with Kane, is what Tottenham need, to turn themselves into winners.

Four additions could make the summer window a perfect one for Spurs.