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What do Tottenham need in the transfer window? We look at their strengths and weaknesses

Tottenham transfer update: Where do Spurs need to strengthen in the summer transfer window? We take a look in our pre-season feature

By Paul Higham

Football

Thu June 20, 2019 · 5y ago

Mauricio Pochettino has performed wonders over the last few years but now is the time when the club must step up and see what he can really do.

Got: Mauricio Pochettino

Records and the two biggest trophies came Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp's way last season, but you could easily argue that Pochettino in fact did the best job and had the highest level of achievement in getting his side to the Champions League final and finishing in the top four again, despite the much-publicised lack of spending.

That represents a huge return for an outlay of precisely nothing for the last 18 months and he's built a team that can beat anybody on their day and challenge all-but the top two of 38 games - but the lack of investment in the squad means they'll always just fall short of sustaining a title charge.

Mauricio Pochettino celebrates with the Spurs players

Poch though, has created a wonderful team, and team spirit. The players clearly love and respect him and give everything they have for their manager, and the lack of spending has shown what you can do with good coaching and familiarity around the squad.

Kane, Eriksen, Moura are all talents, but Tottenham's best asset right now is their manager.

Got: The best stadium in the league?

They've waited an age, but the Spurs fans now have a wonderful new home that rivals anything on the sporting planet, and they've already shown what they can do with it during their Champions League win over Manchester City when the atmosphere was remarkable.

Tottenham fans' tifo display ahead of the Champions League clash with Manchester City

A football ground can be much more than just a place to play football whether old or new - the Emirates is a wonderful stadium but has never quite become a fortress, while City have a great record at the Etihad but it's more intimidating for the wealth of talent on the pitch than the noise off it.

Spurs will be hoping that their new ground can have an Old Trafford or Anfield effect and give them that extra edge that they may need in big games. Remember, their recent exploits have all come without them having a permanent home, so the new stadium should be a huge help - even more so if it starts to unlock some much-needed funds.

Got, Got, Need!

Manchester United
Arsenal

Need: A big name signing

One-to-eleven Spurs are pretty strong and don't have many weak links, but they would benefit immensely from spending some money in the transfer market - even if it was for just one marquee signing. It's not just spending for spending's sake of course, and the players have to be the right players to take the team forward.

Poch has proved he can work with what he's got and there's a few young players also coming through that can bolster the squad, so rather than go around bringing in lower-priced squad options, Spurs could really do with making a statement.

Gareth Bale celebrates scoring a goal for Real Madrid

Their manager has often talked about his 'project' of taking Spurs into the upper echelons of European football, and you can't underestimate just what bringing in a big name would do to the standing of the club and the way they're viewed both from outside and from their own players.

If they can keep Christian Eriksen, and then prove they're serious by signing a big name player then that really would send out all the right signals for current and prospective players.

Dream signings

Gareth Bale, Matthijs de Ligt, Bruno Fernandes

Firstly, who wouldn't want De Ligt? Secondly, imagine him solidifying that Spurs rearguard and being their defensive leader for the next ten years - sadly for them there's no chance of the club matching his, and his agent's financial demands.

Bale is a really interesting one, and one for the romantics, if he could make a return to the club after years away winning Champions Leagues with Real Madrid. The Spaniards would let him go in a heartbeat, but this one is all about the financials - but could a deal involving Eriksen going the other way help smooth the way to a blockbuster signing?

Even a loan isn't entirely out of the question, although it would either mean Bale taking a huge pay cut or Real Madrid stumping up to cover part of the cost. Unrealistic? Yes, but you never know...

Realistic signings

Giovani Lo Celso, Callum Wilson, Donny van de Beek, Jack Clarke

Lo Celso could be the big-money signing Spurs fans have been waiting for, but Daniel Levy is baulking at the £88m release clause he has at Real Betis, so is trying to do a deal. Spurs are in talks with Lyon over midfielder Tanguy Ndombele, while Fulham's Sessegnon has been a long-time target of Pochettino.

Jack Clarke is one for the future while Callum Wilson could be an interesting back-up to Harry Kane if he is willing to spend a lot of time on the bench. Ajax's van de Beek scored against Spurs in the Champions League and is one of a number of stars from that side that are attracting attention around Europe.

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