Adrien Rabiot would be a massive statement of intent for Tottenham

PARIS, FRANCE - NOVEMBER 06: Adrien Rabiot of Paris Saint-Germain in action with Selmane Bensebaini of Stade Rennes during the French Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Stade Rennes FC at Parc des Princes on november 06, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - NOVEMBER 06: Adrien Rabiot of Paris Saint-Germain in action with Selmane Bensebaini of Stade Rennes during the French Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Stade Rennes FC at Parc des Princes on november 06, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images)

Tottenham need to take their squad from good to great

When Tottenham officials sit down and list their summer transfer targets, expect to see a common theme emerge. Spurs officials will be trying to take the squad from good to great.

That figures to be a very expensive proposition for Mauricio Pochettino, Daniel Levy and company. The club will need to pick their targets very wisely. Making a summer swoop for PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot would serve as a real signal of intent for the club.

Evidently ESPN pundit Shaka Hislop agrees with me. He claims that the French midfielder “seems to be the type of player that Pochettino wants.” More specifically, Rabiot is a classy midfielder who can control the game from the middle of the pitch. His poise on the ball could do wonders to unlock Tottenham’s attack from deep in the midfield.

In my estimation, making a strong move for a player like Rabiot would mean just as much for Spurs off the pitch. The club need to make a real statement of intent in the summer transfer window. They need to sign the sort of player that lets others know just how serious Pochettino’s squad is about competing for Premier League titles.

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Some might think that need would require the club to purchase an older player. Instead of focusing on the age of the player, you should focus on the quality of their experience. Rabiot is a proven player for a club that regularly wins league titles. More importantly, he’s shown the ability to flourish on the grand stage that is Champions League football.

That is the new standard by which Tottenham should judge their players. It’s no longer sufficient to purchase young players who might grow into solid Premier League regulars. Spurs need to be on the hunt for players who will immediately be above average players in the league. The growth idea should be to transform those players from Premier League starters to Champions League standouts.

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Adrien Rabiot isn’t the only player who can serve as this sort of statement of intent for Tottenham, but he fits the profile perfectly. Spurs need to do their transfer business differently this summer. Time will tell whether or not Pochettino can force Daniel Levy to give in to that reality.