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.
The way they came back from 2 goals down against Manchester City and the same way against Wycombe where they eventually won the match 4-3 speaks a lot about the mental strength and the belief this team has. This added quality has thrust them into the spotlight once again and they seem like being in and around the Top 3 positions at the end of the season.
But Pochettino will know that there are palpable loopholes yet in their title bid and although they tried to cover up the cracks in the squad, not all of it has been successful. While Victor Wanyama has been one of the best signings of the summer and has certainly bolstered their midfield, the history of Dembele, injury wise, is extremely iffy. We have seen teams crumble on lots of occasions when a set formation or a set formula is being made to change and while teams cannot stop injuries, they can plan for a back-up at the very least.
And this is something Tottenham Hotspur are actively looking and according to latest reports, they have identified Roma midfielder, Leandro Paredes as someone who can be an ideal fit into their high-intensity and energetic team.
The Argentine midfielder is no longer the first choice under boss Luciano Spalletti who has changed the system at the Stadio Della Roma. The midfielder started his career playing for Boca Juniors and after four successful seasons, he moved to Italy. While in Italy, he had a couple of loan spells with Empoli and Chievo as well.
He is an accomplished midfield player and is extremely good in linking the midfield with the attacking players. He is a quick thinker with the ball at his feet and is known for his clever passes and through balls and with Harry Kane and Alli to feed off those, he will be a real handful. His set-piece ability is also top-notch and will add to the options at Pochettino’s disposal.
