Tottenham Hotspur have been a class apart in recent weeks. After a terrific run last year where a late collapse saw them inexplicably finish 3rd below Leicester City and Arsenal, they started off slowly this season. There were suggestions of burnout and the dismal performances of the likes of Dele Alli and Harry Kane in the Euros gave more fodder to the cynics.
They took a bit of time to get going with the aforementioned players also showing lethargy and bluntness up front. There were a string of draws and a couple of losses which seemingly ended their title hopes and a Top 6 finish was immediately touted as the most feasible outcome of their season. But the brilliant Pochettino has come up with the goods once again and they are back in the saddle to have a go at Chelsea.
In their last match, the manner in which a below-par Spurs’ team got back from 2-0 down and drew 2-2 at the Etihad speaks a lot about their character. The young team that he has built and the manner in which he has managed to get the youngsters playing to their potential and sometimes even exceeding it has been marvellous.
But the team must learn from the mistakes of last season. The lack of depth was a main area of concern and although they did have the summer window to take care of it, wasn’t one which you could call a runaway success. Victor Wanyama was signed early and it largely went under the radar. A transfer saga involving N’Koudou ended successfully but he has failed to make any sort of a mark till now. Janssen has been a disappointment while Sissoko’s £30m transfer fee was shockingly inflated.
And hence the latest reports which have emerged linking the Lilywhites with a move for Crystal Palace winger, Wilfried Zaha, do make some sense if not all of it. Spurs were linked with the player early on in the window and with the player coming back from the AFCON, Pochettino is planning for a £25m for the unpredictable winger.
While there were question marks earlier on this certain interest of Tottenham, the player has hit back strongly at his critics. After notching just 2 goals and 1 assist last term, the Ivorian international has smashed four goals and six assists in the Premier League this term and has been Palace’s leading light this term, with the Eagles failing to win a league game since he went to the Africa Cup of Nations.
But there are lingering questions about his ability to sustain this and whether he would be an upgrade on the likes of Son and Sissoko. Pochettino, however, clearly wants to add to his depth and rates the youngster, so the fans should be hopeful that a deal comes through.
