After a 2014/15 season that seemed to do nothing more than fulfill expectations, Spurs are hoping to defy the critics while also continuing an ambitious rebuilding plan. Mauricio Pochettino’s sophomore season will be about solidifying the energetic, high-press philosophy he introduced to the team last season. To that end, he and Head of Recruitment Paul Mitchell have shed the team of deadweight while – hopefully – finding some quality on the transfer market.
Last Year…
Tottenham managed a fifth consecutive Europa League qualification. It’s a dubious honor to be included in Europe’s second-tier international tournament, but Spurs seem to be slowly learning how to cope with it.
The season itself felt inconsistent. Though breakout star striker Harry Kane never lost his nose for goal, the rest of the team seemed strained and at times exhausted by the constant transitions demanded by Pochettino’s system.
They were in a good position in March and could have conceivably found themselves in contention for a top four finish had they not faltered after losing to a resurgent Manchester United that same month. In the end, Louis Van Gaal’s team ended up finding enough form to pip fourth place and Spurs’ much coveted Champions League spot.
…This Year.
Pochettino was never going to be an overnight, runaway success; his tactics and methodology take time to sink in with players. He’ll no doubt view last term as a transitional year. This summer was always going to be about reworking the team and refitting it for what should be a much more competitive campaign.
One of Pochettino’s biggest tasks this summer will be to find some balance in midfield. The pair of Ryan Mason and Nabil Bentaleb occasionally found a good rhythm, but more often than not they lacked the discipline to effectively trade off on defensive duties. This too often opened up the center of the pitch and exposed the already-frail backline.
Among Pochettino’s bigger asks is Erik Lamela. The Argentine winger has been a bundle of potential since his days with Roma, but he’s not yet been able to find any form in north London. If Lamela can begin to contribute meaningfully it would relieve some considerable pressure on Harry Kane.
Ins and Outs
Younes Kaboul, Vlad Chiriches, Lewis Holtby, Etienne Capoue, Benjamin Stambouli and Paulinho have thus far been shown the exit. In their place Spurs have brought in a handful of defenders that would seem to fit Pochettino’s system much better. Burnley rightback Kieran Trippier, Cologne centre-back Kevin Wimmer, and Atletico Madrid’s Toby Alderweireld have each begun training with the first team.
We can expect to see some a backup to Harry Kane brought in as well, but for the most part Spurs will be relying on some promoted youth players and returning loanees like Deli Alli and Alex Pritchard to fill in the rest of the gaps.
Expectations
With the perennial Premier League arms race freshly fueled by a new lucrative TV contract, Spurs will have a considerably more difficult time standing out. The top six or seven stand to be stronger than ever, and several mid-table teams will be hoping to sneak up behind Spurs.
That said, Pochettino’s team at their best might be one of the most well-drilled, on-message teams in the Premier League. If they can take the lessons from last term and build on them, there’s every chance that Spurs could threaten for the top four yet again.
More realistically, Spurs are more work-in-progress than finished product. Pochettino and Spurs’ ownership might be content with another 5th place finish for the time being, even if the fans can’t say the same.
Predicted Opening Day Line Up
