With their grip on the coattails of the title race loosening, could Tottenham Hotspur have brought in some new faces in January?
After a disappointing 0-0 draw with a struggling Sunderland side last night, the gap between league leaders Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur now stands at nine points. Despite overtaking London rivals Arsenal to steal second place on goal difference, Mauricio Pochettino’s side, like so many Premier League clubs, are beginning to lose sight of, and the opportunity to catch, Antonio Conte’s Chelsea, who have been in tremendous form this season.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte and Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
Tottenham’s form has, much like last season at this stage, been excellent of late, and Pochettino’s men are doing a good job of keeping the heat on the leaders. However, with a relatively small squad compared to some of their other rivals for the Premier League title, Spurs could be at risk of losing their pace should they pick up one or two significant injuries, or perhaps “burn out”, as some suggested they did towards the end of last season.
So should Tottenham have looked to strengthen in January? Were there realistically options that could have improved the team? Or are Tottenham’s reserve players good enough?
Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur
Looking at Spurs’ other promotion rivals, there weren’t many teams who did strengthen over the course of the month. Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal all chose not to bring in players, seemingly happy with the squads they already have, and looking to avoid potentially unsettling their dressing rooms.
Tottenham Hotspur have clearly looked to do the same. The group have largely been together for over a year, bar a couple of new additions in the summer, and perhaps Pochettino sees the core of the group as already healthy enough?
Tottenham’s Dele Alli
And who could Tottenham have brought in? Players who may have improved the side, such as Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha, Real Madrid’s attacking midfielder Isco and Everton’s Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku were all names who might have bolstered Pochettino’s attacking options, but the kind of money that would have been needed to bring these players in, especially in January, may not have been worth it.
Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha
However, their recent game against Sunderland proves that, at times, Pochettino gets stuck for options. Their attacking options on the bench included Vincent Janssen, who has struggled for goals, Moussa Sissoko, whose form has been inconsistent, and Harry Winks, who is still only young. Did Spurs need to add more options? Especially considering the possibility of injuries?
Whether they did or didn’t, will surely be answered come the end of the season.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
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