Mauricio Pochettino said that he was disappointed with his team’s performances at the fag end of the last season but he will not be complaining now after his team has taken 4 points from a trip to the Goodison Park and a game against Crystal Palace in the new Premier League season. The manager has managed to keep most of his first-team players at the club after half a title challenge last season and has added some depth and mettle to most parts of his squad to help him mount a better one this season. However, it looks like the Argentine is not still finished with his summer business and is looking at other options to add to his squad.
One such player who is now linked with a move to the White Hart Lane is Nottingham Forest teenager Oliver Burke. The 19-year old midfielder who prefers to play on the right side of the defense has been impressive for Nottingham (and also a small loan stint at Bradford City), making 29 appearances for the side since he joined the club back in 2004 as a kid. He was also electric in the recent game for his side scoring twice and helping them to a dramatic 4-3 win over Wigan at the weekend. It is now understood that the Spurs have joined the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, West Ham and Sunderland in the race for his signature.
Pochettino has accumulated a youth-centric squad at the White Hart Lane that believes in its abilities and the Forest midfielder is one who will fit straight into the philosophy at the Bridge. He is a young attacker who loves to take on his man and is a good enough dribbler to beat his man more often than not. However, he relies more on crisp passes that allow him to get behind the opposition’s defense. He likes to play in a deeper role on the right and will make run after run to add to his team’s attacks from midfield. However, he is at this age, not strong enough for the Premier League game and needs to work on his strength to be successful at the highest level in the country.
Pochettino will have no problem giving him some game time and will actually need the depth he will provide, especially with European football beckoning on the horizon. Burke can easily be the man who will take over the mantle in the cup games and with his experience in the country and also for his national side, he is more than capable of keeping his team in hunt for glory.
However, Pochettino will have to fight to get his signature with four other Premier League clubs and it will be interesting if the manager will make a move for him in the coming days. The likes of Eric Lamela, Christian Eriksen, Moussa Dembele and Dele Alli will take care of the attacking midfield area for the Spurs this season and Burke will feel that he is a part of the squad as soon as he makes the move. Do you think Spurs should go all out for Burke this summer?
