The players the incoming White Hart Lane boss should consider signing this summer.
With Daniel Levy once again swinging the axe following his side’s inability to secure a coveted top four finish, the Spurs chairman may well have to fork out a decent amount to help assist Mauricio Pochettino in his pursuit of an improve Tottenham squad.
The Argentine will want to put his stamp on the squad he inherited from Tim Sherwood, who had himself only been in the job for a few months following Andre Villas-Boas’s sacking, and there are a number of areas in the White Hart Lane squad he will want to improve.
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On top of that there is the need to retain the services of the few truly quality players currently on the club’s books, a task in turn that can be helped by the some wise spending from the former Southampton manager.
Here’s how we think the Tottenham starting XI could look if Mauricio Pochettino secures the targets he is already set his sights on.
Goalkeeper – Hugo Lloris
By some distance Tottenham’s most consistent performer last season, often the club’s last line of defence, and a player Mauricio Pochettino must move heaven and earth to keep hold of.
If the French national team captain does well at the World Cup then the chances of keeping hold of the former Lyon man may well be stretched.
Danny Rose didn’t cover himself in glory last season and Jan Vertonghen is far more effective in the centre of defence and as such Pochettino needs to address this well known ‘problem’ area.
Marcelo and Fabio Coentrao fight it out for left-back duties at Real Madrid but it seems far more likely that the north London side would stand a better chance capturing the Portuguese international over the Brazilian star.
Rock solid performer who may well jump at the chance of following Pochettino to White Hart Lane. The Saints may struggle to keep hold of their top talents and may therefore deem the sale of the Croatian as preferable to losing left-back Luke Shaw.
Cost Southampton £8.5m last summer so would take a fee well in excess of that to land the centre-back.
Centre-Back – Jan Vertonghen
Though the Belgian didn’t have the best of season’s last term he is still a player of the highest quality and may be swayed to remain at the north London club under new management.
The former Ajax man will look to replicate the form he showed in his first season at White Hart Lane and is far happier playing at the centre of defence rather than at left-back.
Right-Back – Kyle Walker
Tremendous player on his day and one of the best in the position in the English top tier, unlikely to be effectively challenged by any player currently on the Spurs books and a player who will look to make more of an impact at national team level following his omission from Roy Hodgson’s 2014 World Cup squad through injury.
PSV Eindhoven winger is dubbed the ‘Dutch Cristiano Ronaldo’ and excellent displays at club level have been replicated during the World Cup, with the youngster netting against Australia and Chile.
Has pace and power and could provide the ammunition for the Tottenham front-men.
Central Midfielder – Paulinho
Much like Hugo Lloris the Brazilian is another player Tottenham must not sell this summer and is a player of genuine quality who is head and shoulders above other central midfield talents in Pochettino’s squad.
Chelsea had been linked with the former Corinthians star and a good World Cup could lead firm bids for the 25 year old but those bids must be ignored.
Central Midfielder – Moussa Dembele
Belgian powerhouse perhaps disappointed many when called upon by Andre Villas-Boas and Tim Sherwood last season but the former Fulham man is a class act who deserves a regular spot in the Tottenham midfield next term.
A role alongside Paulinho would offer Pochettino both drive and direction as well as a steely presence in the centre of the park.
Another Southampton man who could be tempted by a move to north London, though Liverpool may appear to have the upper hand at present, and a player who could be used to add creativity on the flanks.
Aaron Lennon has continued to flatter to deceive on the right and though Lallana isn’t an out and out winger he can certainly work well in the role.
Supporting Striker – Christian Eriksen
Dane had a superb first season in English football and should be used in a supporting striker role next season having proven his effectiveness in front of goal in 2013/14.
The former Ajax man scored ten goals last term and was the club’s leading assist maker and has shown a great deal of potential to get even better, he is after all still just 22.
The Chelsea man would be the ideal man to lead the Tottenham attack and the chance of regular first team football could fuel the youngster’s desire to consider a move from west to north London.
Lukaku bagged 17 Premier League goals during his loan spell at West Brom in 2012/13 and netted another 15 last term at Everton. The presence of national team colleagues Vertonghen and Nacer Chadli could also aid a potential move to White Hart Lane.
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