Tottenham summer transfer needs: Keeping the band together
Tottenham have collected the most points of any Premier League team in the last two seasons. But improvements are needed if the club is going to make the push and actually finish at the top.
Tottenham were impressive in 2016-17, but they still couldn’t manage to win the league. While that could be attributed to Chelsea’s juggernaut of a campaign, Spurs’ run of only two wins in eight matches from mid-October to mid-December certainly didn’t help. Add to that some frustrating draws, and the team’s best finish since 1963 almost feels like a disappointment.
Then again, that’s a sign of the progress this team have made under Mauricio Pochettino. It’s hard to pick on a side with the best goal difference in the league, but there are areas Spurs can improve if they’re to go one better and win the title next season.
The most obvious issue with the team is a lack of cover for Kane. Dele Alli impressed with 18 league goals, while Heung-min Son proved a reliable replacement when the English striker was injured, but Vincent Janssen was a bust (though he’s still young) and Moussa Sissoko was even worse. If Spurs are going to challenge in Europe next season and continue their progress domestically, they’ll need more cover for their first-choice attacking quartet of Kane, Alli, Son and Christian Eriksen.
The defense and midfield are stronger in terms of depth. In fact, Tottenham’s biggest challenge this summer will likely be keeping hold of their players. They’re in a strong negotiating position with most key players signed to long-term deals, but it’s likely only a matter of time before certain members of the squad are tempted away by richer clubs.
Surviving raids on defense, midfield
Tottenham’s defense looked world class for most of the season. And other teams noticed. Kyle Walker has been linked to Manchester City. He was an important piece of the backline that only allowed 26 goals. Losing the right-back wouldn’t be a disaster with Keiran Trippier an able replacement, but one of Spurs’ big strengths is the fact they have two good options in every defensive position. If Walker goes, they’ll need to replace him with at least an understudy to Trippier, if not a starter.
Spurs are also rumored to be chasing Michael Keane, who impressed at center-back for Burnley last season. It’s unclear whether he would start ahead of either Toby Alderweireld or Jan Vertonghen, but with the former reportedly reluctant to a sign a new deal, the 24-year-old Keane would be an astute signing for the near, if not immediate, future.
Hugo Lloris has also been linked with a move away from North London. He’s been a vocal supporter of Pochettino, but Real Madrid are hard to turn down for even the most loyal players. Keeping hold of a keeper isn’t the most eye-catching summer business, but it would be significant nonetheless.
Adding scorers
If Tottenham can keep hold of their key defenders, the focus should be on the attack. Kane missed two separate spells with injury last season. In the first, Tottenham won only four out of 10 games across all competitions. One of those was in the EFL Cup against League One side Gillingham.
When Kane got injured again in March, Spurs coped much better with Son providing more of a threat up top than Janssen had earlier in the season. Nonetheless, reinforcements in the area are needed. Son’s at his best in a wider role, and Tottenham need depth in attack anyway.
One play who’s been linked is Gylfi Sigurdsson, who had a so-so spell with the club from 2012-14. Spurs are in a much better place than they were when the Icelandic midfielder left the first time, and though he’s not a striker, his goalscoring ability and set-pieces would certainly improve the squad overall.
Everton’s Ross Barkley appears to be another top target. Like Sigurdsson, Barkley is an attacking midfielder rather than a center-forward, but he’d be able to slot in anywhere behind Kane, and would offer a more direct, if not always effective, option than Pochettino currently has at his disposal.
If Spurs want a true alternative to Kane, the likes of Alexandre Lacazette, Josh King and even Daniel Sturridge could all be available. The problem is all these players will likely need to accept a role as Kane’s backup. That might mean Tottenham have to settle for another Janssen-level signing, or just stick with Janssen himself.
Next: Liverpool summer transfer needs
Still, overall, Tottenham are in a very good place. They could well have won the league had Kane stayed healthy, and their core seems likely to stay together for at least another season.