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| Courtesy of Dave Anteh |
Managerial Stability
Mauricio Pochettino has, in a very short time, gone from being a relative unknown at Southampton in 2013, to being regularly mentioned in conjunction with the top jobs in world football, see Barcelona this year and Manchester United last. It has never been with any great deal of seriousness though. This is perhaps down to two factors. First, Tottenham's enormous potential, largely as a result of being a developer and acquirer of young, predominantly English, talent. And second, the fact that they haven't yet achieved any tangible level of success, despite cracking the top four two years in a row, a feat which seemed unimaginable two years ago. This combines to present Pochettino with the temptation of an unfinished job and adding to Spurs' trophy cabinet in some way. At the moment the Argentine is going nowhere but, much like Spurs' fortunes you feel, this could all change in a year or two.
Transfer Needs/Wants:
The top London clubs often seem slower than their northern counterparts to get going in the transfer market. Tottenham are the only ones who have an excuse for this lethargy because, although they may have cracked the top four, you sense that they have unfortunately not cracked the upper echelon of club which doesn't need to sell anyone. This might explain why they are being slightly hesitant as Pochettino waits to see if Daniel Levy receives any attractive offers for Eric Dier and co.
One player who certainly seems to be on his way is Kyle Walker, who was practically out of the door by April. The only thing that might scupper his plans of heading to the blue half of Manchester is the hint of Dani Alves wanting to make the same move. There has been very little serious mention of replacing Walker thus far but it shouldn't be forgotten that in Kieran Trippier and the young Kyle Walker-Peters Pochettino might feel he is adequately set in that position. One name that has been mention is the very talented Serge Aurier. The Ivorian has had three seasons at PSG blighted by controversy when he was forced to train with the reserves after insulting then-manager Laurent Blanc, Angel di Maria and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, big names to take on, and Pochettino may prefer not to introduce such a disruptive individual to a very settled dressing room.
Eric Dier does appear to be the subject of interest from Manchester United amongst others but a £50m price tag might put potential suitors. However, it's a long summer, so don't rule anything out.
Enough about selling, who could Spurs bring in to add strength to an already relatively deep squad? Top of the list must be a striker. He might improve, but having Vincent Janssen as their second best striker it seems incredible that Tottenham finished second in the league last year, especially as Kane was out for so long. In the last few days, murmurings about Josh King have started to surface. Not a bad option as he is proven in the Premier League and presumably wouldn't cost a ridiculous amount. Other options are limited at the moment however as, despite getting Champions league football again this season, Spurs still don't draw the biggest names in the world like the other four or five around them, partly due to club status and partly also you suspect to the tight wage control at White Hart Lane.
Also on the radar is cover at centre-back with offers apparently being entertained, if not actually accepted, from Southampton for Kevin Wimmer. There is mention in a lot of the gossip columns about Chris Smalling, who seems to be surplus to requirements at Old Trafford after the purchase of Victor Lindelöf from Benfica. However, I'm unsure whether Smalling would be happy to go from having been captain for United for much of last season to third-best behind the Belgian Alderweireld-Vertonghen partnership, which at the moment he definitely is.
Prediction:
3rd: Spurs are a tough one to call. Having been so dominant for so much of the second half of the season just gone, it then seems ridiculous to put them out of the top four for next season. I personally think the end of the season has come at the worst time for Spurs more than anyone else, interrupting their momentum with a long break during which there will undoubtedly be a few changes in personnel and, for those who don't leave, at least a few head-turning offers from 'bigger' clubs. It's difficult to see Harry Kane carrying them again in attack this season so a new striker is an absolute must. However, if this happens and Kane, Alli and Eriksen all push on from their great seasons last term, I can easily see them getting a top four spot again.
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