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Tottenham have to strengthen for Champions League

By Jake Cole

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 02: Harry Kane (2nd R) of Tottenham Hotspur is congratulated by teammates after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on May 02, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 02: Harry Kane (2nd R) of Tottenham Hotspur is congratulated by teammates after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on May 02, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) /
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It has been six years since Peter Crouch scored that famous goal to secure Champions League football for Tottenham Hotspur and until now they haven’t been back. However, a lot of strengthening needs to be done in the 2016 summer transfer window.

Tottenham fans will never forget the famous Champions League campaign in the 2010/11 season, where they marched onto the quarter finals against Real Madrid. On the way they completed famous victories against Inter Milan and AC Milan, including the fantastic victory away to AC Milan at the San Siro in the last 16.

However, the likes of Gareth Bale, Rafael Van Der Vaart and Luka Modric have all moved on and Tottenham have seemed to hit a brick wall in the last few years. That is, of course, until the introduced of Mauricio Pochettino.

Pochettino had a five-year plan at Tottenham and only two years into this plan Tottenham have been one of the best teams in the league and have been locked in horns with Leicester for the title. Only for the title to be cruelly taken by Leicester. However, this leads to another Champions League campaign for Tottenham and they will need to have a lot more strength within the squad to be able to deal with the needs of challenging in the Champions League and the Premier League.

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In the past few years, Tottenham have been stuck with Europa League football and this has required a big squad and a lot of travelling. Champions League football will no doubt bring the same issues, however, there is a big difference…

Previous years have seen Tottenham handle Europa League football by giving fringe and youth players a chance and this has allowed them to compete in the Premier League. However, the target was Champions League football and now Tottenham will begin preparing for this and there will not be room for any weakened teams in Europe’s elite club competition.

More strength in-depth is going to be needed as Pochettino will need to put out a strong team twice a week especially at the beginning of the season during the group stages. This is why Pochettino and Daniel Levy will need to have a successful summer.

It is very understandable buying players for the future or players for back up, however, Tottenham will need to buy players this year that are starting 11 standard and that can come into the team and make an impact. Players who will push the current starting 11 for their places will be a much-needed addition this summer.

Also, along with buying top class players, Tottenham will need to invest in some experienced heads within the squad this summer to deal with the big games and to be a leader both on and off the pitch. And of course they will need some Champions League experience amongst the squad.

When Tottenham last ventured into the Champions League they purchased world-class talent in Van Der Vaart and a few more of these signings will need to be made this summer. Making quality signings rather than quantity this summer is very important so Tottenham are able to complete on both fronts.

Related Story: Tottenham will be back for the title next year

I have heard talk of Tottenham signing value signings this summer, however, to compete at Europe’s highest level they will need quality in-depth rather than just squad depth. Having two players in almost every position that are starting 11 worthy is a huge bonus, as this will allow players to have a rest and Tottenham to compete against everyone and anyone.

Unfortunately, players like Tom Carroll and Ryan Mason might not be good enough to have as back up to the first team in games against some of the best sides of Europe.

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