Tottenham Hotspur have a number of issues to consider ahead of the end of the transfer window.
Kieran Trippier, Eric Dier and Nacer Chadli
Is the squad better than last season?
Tottenham have already made a point of selling Nacer Chadli to West Brom, DeAndre Yedlin to Newcastle and Alex Pritchard to Norwich, while Ryan Mason is also expected to depart, and Nabil Bentaleb has left on loan. With uncertainty remaining over Tom Carroll and Heung-Min Son, that’s five internationals and two experienced Under-21 players who could be gone by the end of the transfer window, but Mauricio Pochettino has suggested that a number of academy youngsters are ready to come into a squad he has declared himself happy with.
While Pochettino is entitled to sell on out-of-favour players, surely downsizing the squad that finished 3rd last year rather than developing it is a risky approach as Spurs look to make the top four once again and do themselves justice in the Champions League. Vincent Janssen and Victor Wanyama have come in and look like good signings, but in general the club have to ask this essential question: do they have a better 22-25 players than they had last season?
At present, Pochettino is a couple of injuries away from big problems if those injuries are in similar positions.
The centre-back situation
Tottenham’s Kevin Wimmer looks dejected
There had been some left-field suggestions that Tottenham were looking to Manchester City misfit Eliaquim Mangala as a possible loan addition ahead of the transfer window, with last season’s impressive stand-in Kevin Wimmer reportedly open to offers (ESPN). While nothing more has happened on this front, and Spurs fans will be hoping it remains a bizarre and unlikely rumour, it would be good to see the Austrian back on the bench at the very least, and if he is to be out for an extended period, should the club look to bring in support rather than relying on Cameron Carter-Vickers as the player to come in?
What on earth is happening with Nkoudou?
Georges-Kevin Nkoudou at Marseille
It is beyond comprehension why Spurs haven’t managed to secure the signing of the 21-year-old winger from Marseille. There have been suggestions that Georges-Kevin Nkoudou has been training at the club (Sky Sports), the deal is so close, but with no news coming out of either the North Londoners or the Ligue 1 outfit, it seems this could go down the wire. But why? Isn’t the smart thing to do to get the deal over the line at this point? Whether Marseille or Spurs or both are dragging their heels, it is worth remembering that both sets of clubs, their supporters and of course two players in Nkoudou and Clinton Njie – reportedly heading the other way – are all losing out.
One or two central midfielders needed – and which is more important?
Real Madrid’s Isco in action
It’s hard to figure out what Spurs need more – someone to back up/rotate Mousa Dembele in the second midfield pivot position, or someone to full in for Dele Alli in a more advanced central midfield position. Links to Isco (Mirror) suggest it could be the latter, but with Champions League football on the agenda this year, and Mason and Carroll seemingly out of favour and possibly set to depart, both could be needed, especially considering back up for Dembele and Alli seems to be the promising but untested Harry Winks and Josh Onomah.
More depth needed at both ends of the pitch?
Another move long talked about is Tottenham’s loan for young Spanish goalkeeper Pau Lopez. It is a smart move to bring in a promising option in that position, with both Hugo Lloris and Michel Vorm in a similar age range. But do Spurs need more options at the other end of the pitch too? Vincent Janssen has come in and strengthened up top, but Pochettino will still be short if either him or Kane are injured, especially with last season’s stand in Nacer Chadli sold and reports that Heung-Min Son is available for the right price.
Would a third attacking option be a good move?
Atletico Madrid’s Lucas Hernandez fights for the ball against Espanyol’s goalkeeper Pau Lopez
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