The world witnessed an extraordinary season of the Premier League with fairy tales being scripted, big guns failing and most of all, the underdogs ringing the warning bells. Teams like Leicester, Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton and West Ham United have emerged playing splendid football but none have impressed me more than Tottenham this season.
Indeed they did bottle it up in the last stages of the league last season but irrespective of how they finished what matters more is how they performed. Their football was laced with consistency, something that was compelling to the audience and intriguing at the same time. Also along with all this, it was not only the youth policy of Pochettino that was unravelling itself at Spurs, it was also the display of discipline and quality on several occasions.
The more and more I expected Spurs to slip up sooner or later, the more they chugged ahead and I think I didn’t hesitate when I say that it won’t be long when this team will challenge for the title on a consistent basis and sooner rather than later, the Premier League title might arrive at White Hart Lane.
I firmly believe Tottenham are challenging for the title again in the near future, maybe not this season. They have that lingering passion, that determination and hunger that can spread a smile on any football fan’s face and moreover, they play football to excite. In short, Tottenham Hotspur plays football the right way! Tottenham have a formidable squad and there are success stories on majority areas of the pitch but does the majority mean the whole? Of course not. There are some areas that Tottenham need to strengthen to challenge for the title.
I say it time and again that transfer rumours are like the seeds of a dandelion and they move away soon enough but over time some rumours do gain strength. In the case of Tottenham, they need a midfielder first of all and a quality one at that. Moussa Dembele has already impressed having the record of 4th best in the Premier League for both dribbles and tackles of an individual but besides him, there is a huge difference in quality.
Eric Dier has faded away massively this season and the new recruit Victor Wanyama has been mediocre and has failed to have a big impact that was expected of him. Moussa Sissoko too had ups and downs all his career and it has been the same story everywhere. Dele Alli’s drop in from doesn’t seem to have helped anything either. The only central midfielder Tottenham have been linked to is Fiorentina’s solid centre-mid Milan Badelj but they need a world class one to partner Dembele and if they do it, it’s going to be a major boost.
Secondly, in the attacking sector, there has been less spice than last season. Alli has been a major disappointment and both Son and Eriksen have been inconsistent. The central attacking midfield position is where the strengthening is a must. Everton’s Ross Barkley, Real Madrid’s Isco and James Rodriguez have been linked with Spurs in the past.
Getting in someone like Isco or James would be sensational. Both are top quality attacking players known for their creation and selfless display. Moreover, someone like James who seems to have been out of favour with Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane would obviously be searching for clubs and interest from England has been unsurprising. Ross Barkley and James both look like realistic targets and adding to the CAM position would truly lift them. In the defence too they have found four of the most reliable defenders at the back but they need a backup although it’s not something that needs urgent work.
Last but not the least is the position of a striker. Yes, Spurs have Harry Kane and no, he’s not a one-season wonder but what if Harry’s out due to injury or suspension? This is where the answer won’t come immediately. Getting in another quality striker is a top priority. All the big clubs of England be it United with Ibrahimovic and Rashford, Chelsea with Costa and Batshuayi, Arsenal with Sanchez, Giroud and Liverpool with Sturridge, Origi have two strikers who can pitch in to help the team anytime. Same is required here.
Pochettino looked to find the solution and brought in Vincent Janssen but the lad has been a let down absolutely. In this case, the attack is again left with one reliable striker. The biggest transfer rumour for Spurs sees them getting linked with former United striker, and current Leverkusen forward Javier Hernandez. The Mexican set the Bundesliga on fire last season with 17 goals in 28 games and having got 31 shots on target with a shot accuracy rate of 57% according to Squawka. This season, he’s had a steady start but nonetheless the striker has a reputation for being a natural goalscorer and we’ve seen that with United. He brings a vast amount of Premier League knowledge and who better than him to fit in Pochettino’s process of building?
The golden generation needs a few more golden eggs to add to the existing quality and once this is addressed, Spurs are surely going for the title.
