Spurs may have missed out on the Premier League title last season but their fans enjoyed finishing above North London rivals Arsenal for the first time since 1995, and many of them have been feeling optimistic about repeating the trick once again this year. However, the enthusiasm has been dampened by the lack of transfer activity at the club this summer, with only a couple of new faces arriving at the club and right-back Kyle Walker joining title favourites Manchester City in July.
Boss Mauricio Pochettino has been quick to allay any fears this month insisting that his side will add more players before the transfer window slams shut at the end of the month. Spurs have been linked with a number of players this summer, including Everton’s playmaker Ross Barkley, but the two parties are yet to agree terms with the England international’s wage demands believed to be a stumbling block.
The midfielder, who has just a year left on his contract is believed to be keen on a move to North London after being told his future lies away from Goodison Park but Spurs do not want to break their prudent wage structure. Barkley would fit into Tottenham’s ethos of recruiting young ball playing footballers and the two parties will be aiming to reach a resolution before the first international break of the season.
The club have sold Clinton N’Jie, Nabil Bentaleb and, most pertinently, Kyle Walker this summer. The former Sheffield United right-back departs for potential title rivals Manchester City for around £53million with Spurs supporters hoping that money is reinvested in the playing staff. Kieran Trippier is expected to step up to the plate and become a regular on the right-hand side.
Supporters have watched as many of their rivals have significantly strengthened this summer, with Arsenal adding powerful striker Alexandre Lacazette to their side and Liverpool adding pace and flair in the shape of Mo Salah. This has added to the frustration of their team’s reluctance to spend big.
Spurs have captured Ajax centre-half Davinson Sanchez this summer to increase competition at the back, with the 21-year-old arriving for £42 million from the Eredivisie side. They also still have a wealth of talent at their disposal despite the lack of incomings, with golden boot winner Harry Kane, the unpredictable Dele Alli and the industrious Son Heung-Min all set to light up the Premier League once again. Spurs will be competing in the Champions League next season and squad depth is vitally important with the striking department looking particularly light on numbers as things stand.
Pochettino has moved quickly to assure fans that further new faces will arrive before the end of the month but has insisted they have to challenge members of his current squad for a place in the starting XI.
Spurs started their campaign with a victory against Newcastle at St James’ Park before narrowly losing their first game at Wembley to champions Chelsea. Spurs won 26 of their 38 fixtures last season and will be a staple of many weekend accumulators when hosting both Burnley and Bournemouth at the National Stadium in the coming weeks They began as odds-on favourites to claim all three points in the North East and justified that support. Daily selections are available on sites such as Footy Accumulators for those who require tips and advice on which sides to include alongside Spurs in their weekly multiple bets.
Mauricio Pochettino is saying all the right things but the fans have become frustrated by the lack of incoming transfers this summer although Sanchez’s arrival will help add depth to the squad. The Argentinian coach will need to work with chairman Daniel Levy to ensure the North London club are able to suitably strengthen ahead of a pivotal campaign in which they will be competing in multiple competitions.
