Craig Burley has told ESPN that he thinks the signings of Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur can guide Tottenham into the top four come May. He thinks West Ham will fall away, and Spurs will finish above Arsenal.
Spurs were incredibly active on deadline day, bringing in 24-year-old Bentancur and Sweden international Kulusevski from Juventus. The latter joins on an 18-month loan, while Bentancur cost Spurs around £20million.
Kulusevski was linked with the likes of Aston Villa, Everton and Arsenal in January – while Bentancur was a solid target for Steven Gerrard’s Villa. But Spurs have won the race, Fabio Paratici using his Juve contacts.
Asked about the race for the top four after the window came to an end, Burley thinks Tottenham will get fourth – largely because of their two new signings. He thinks Arsenal will struggle, and West Ham will fall away.
“They’ve got a better chance of top four [because of Kulusevski and Bentancur]. I’m going to say, yes-ish. Manchester United worry me, I think West Ham will fall away, Arsenal are there or thereabouts.
“These two give Conte some extra bodies, some more experience, some more pieces to the jigsaw. They have a much better chance,” Burley said, talking to Tuesday’s episode of ESPN FC on BT Sport.
Burley on top four: Where could Tottenham come unstuck?
Antonio Conte has made Tottenham a real force for fourth. Sitting in seventh, they have three games in hand over West Ham, two over United and one over Arsenal – but are only three points behind United.
A couple of wins in those three games would give them a real fighting chance. Kulusevski and Bentancur are options, but it is the lack of activity from the three other clubs that could play into Tottenham’s hands.
What could prevent them from fourth, is injuries. Son Heung-min remains injured. Harry Kane is renowned to pick up a problem around this time of the season. They do have Kulusevski as cover, but it does hinge on Kane.
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