Spurs have every right to look back on a good season this summer and reflect on a campaign that saw them play some of the best football in the country with a number of bright emerging stars coming to the fore in the process.
Mauricio Pochettino, who himself saw his stock rise, got the best out of his team with them adopting his every instruction and carrying it out perfectly. In Harry Kane Tottenham now have arguably England’s best forward and a world class talent who quickly dismissed his ‘one season wonder’ tag, whilst Dele Alli also announced himself onto the big stage with performances far beyond his age and a Goal of the Season candidate that even the best to grace the game would be proud of.
Spurs became a real attacking force combined with defensive solidarity in 2015/16 and would have been deserved title winners had it not been for Leicester. Champions League qualification is no bad consolation prize, though, but if they want to stay there ahead of a resurgent Chelsea and Man United, among others, there are a few things to improve on. Football Fan Cast brings you FIVE…
Striking depth
Past Harry Kane Tottenham haven’t got anyone to guarantee goals. Kane hasn’t had many injury issues so far in his career but it’ll only take one lengthy setback to leave Spurs short.
Pochettino must surely know this is something the club need to sort out and with the likes of Michy Batshuayi being linked this issue may soon be a thing of the past. Champions League football will be demanding, too, so Kane can’t be expected to be the only striker for all competitions.
Another box-to-box player
When Mousa Dembele was suspended at the end of the season things completely fell apart for Spurs in midfield. The Belgian is the driving force in the centre of the park, winning challenges and then carrying the ball and his side forward, and without him the team looked far less imposing. Another player that can do this for the club is crucial, especially with Dembele still out at the start of next season, too.
Mentality
There was a slightly worrying end to the season for Tottenham in that, despite all of the positives from the campaign, they crumbled at home to West Brom, threw away a two goal lead at Stamford Bridge and then got hammered by Newcastle on the final day.
It could all be down to the young nature of the squad, but if they perform similarly in the face of added pressure Pochettino will clearly have to bring in a few more experienced players.
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Width
For all Spurs’ great attacking play they have little in the way of options if they want to go wide. Erik Lamela and Christian Eriksen often cut inside when they’re asked to play on each flank, and whilst Danny Rose and Kyle Walker overlap this leaves Spurs vulnerable to counter attacks.
If the club bring in an out and out winger they will immediately look a different proposition going forward.
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Too aggressive?
This one’s up for debate. Spurs last season showed a mean streak that meant they didn’t get bullied on the pitch but equally also led to bans for key players such as Dele Alli and Mousa Dembele at crucial points in the season.
Obviously Pochettino likes his team to get in the face of the opposition, but maybe if they can be a bit cuter with it they’ll reap the benefits.
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